Korea's forward #18 Oh Hyeon-gyu celebrates with teammate defender #03 Lee Gi-hyuk scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Korea and the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, June 11(local time). AFP-Yonhap
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico on Thursday, taking a big step toward a place in the knockout stage.
Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu netted the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in western Mexico, after the teams had traded a goal apiece earlier in the second half following a goalless opening half.
Ladislav Krejci headed in the match's first goal for Czechia in the 59th minute before Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer eight minutes later.
Hwang then assisted Oh's goal, which came a couple of minutes after a would-be Czechia goal was disallowed on an offside.
