Just a few hours after Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match, the Taeguk Warriors were in action in Guadalajara against Czechia who had qualified for the World Cup via the European play-offs.
And it was the Europeans who opened the scoring, following a long throw-in from Coufal that was met by Krejci with a header (0–1, 59'). But the teammates of Kang-In, who started the match and put in a fine performance, quickly drew level when our Parisian player set up Hwang In-Beom, who beat the opposing goalkeeper (1–1, 67').
The breakthrough came with 10 minutes to go, as the goalscorer turned provider for Oh Hyeon-Gyu, who slotted home from close range to secure victory for the Koreans (2-1, 80'). Lee Kang-In and his team will face Mexico on 19th June at 3am, again in Guadalajara, in their second group match.
SOUTH KOREA - CZECHIA: 2-1 (0-0)
FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group stage - Matchday 1 - Group A
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)
Goals: Hwang In-Beom (67') and Oh Hyeon-Gyu (80') for South Korea. Krejci (59') for Czechia.
SOUTH KOREA: Kim Seung-Gyu, Lee Han-Boom, Kim Min-Jae, Lee Gi-Hyuk, Seol Young-Woo, Hwang In-Beom (Kim Jin-Gyu, 84e), Paik Seung-Ho (Park Jin-Seob, 84e), Lee Tae-Seok (Eom Ji-Sung, 69'), Lee Kang-In, Lee Jae-Sung (Hwang Hee-Chan, 62'), Son Heung-Min (c) (Oh Hyeon-Gyu, 69') . Manager: Hong Myung-Bo.
CZECHIA: Kovar, Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejčí, Coufal, Soucek, Sojka (Chytil, 84'), Zeleny, Provod (Sadílek, 64'), Sulc (Hložek, 64'), Schick (Chory, 64'). Manager: M. Koubek.
