The Short Version
As of 11 June, South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in Guadalajara to open their World Cup with a win. Krejčí headed the Czechs ahead in the 59th minute, but Hwang In-beom equalized in the 67th and substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu struck the winner in the 80th to flip the match. Hwang finished with a goal and an assist and was the night’s central figure. Korea sit on three points, level at the top of Group A.
A flat first half, a livelier second
The first half was stingy with both sides. Korea pressed through Son Heung-min but kept missing the finish, and both teams walked off to jeers. The shot count told one story: Korea piled up eight attempts in the first half and fifteen across the match, dwarfing Czechia’s eight, as ESPN reported.
The trouble was that none of it went in. Czechia, back at a World Cup for the first time since 2006, could barely fashion a chance — until one set piece broke the balance.
A 59th-minute shock, a 21-minute answer
In the 59th minute, Vladimír Coufal’s long throw dropped into the box and captain Ladislav Krejčí powered home a header. A goal down, Korea did not flinch.
In the 67th, Hwang In-beom’s moment arrived. He faked a shot to shake off two Czech defenders, then finished calmly to level it. The momentum swung fully to Korea, and in the 80th the match was settled: Hwang’s cutback from the right was turned in by substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu. Czechia pushed for a late equalizer, but a pair of saves from Kim Seung-gyu protected the three points, as Fox Sports recapped.
Hwang In-beom, the night a name became history
The man of the match was never in doubt. A goal and an assist. Hwang became only the third Korean player to record both a goal and an assist in a single World Cup match. The two before him were Choi Soon-ho against Italy in 1986 and Hong Myung-bo against Spain in 1994 — and, fittingly, that same Hong Myung-bo is now the team’s head coach.
“It was our first game, and a very difficult one,” Hong said. More than the win itself, it was the way his side refused to give up and turned the match around that pleased him most. Up top, Son Heung-min squandered several chances, but his teammates filled the space their captain left and took the game.
What it means, and what comes next
The win extended Korea’s run to an 11th straight World Cup and a 12th overall, the most of any Asian nation. Their best finish remains the semifinal run as co-hosts in 2002; since then they have not gone past the round of 16. That is the side that has now opened this tournament with a comeback.
The mood was mixed. The 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium drew an announced 44,985, yet empty seats were scattered throughout. FIFA president Gianni Infantino watched from the stands. Korea share top spot in Group A on three points with Mexico, a standing confirmed on FIFA’s official table.
The next test is steep. On 18 June, Korea face host nation Mexico in the same Guadalajara, a Mexico side that opened with its own 2-0 win over South Africa. The first step is taken. Before they meet the round-of-16 ceiling again, Korea now prepare a second stride toward the top of the group.
FAQ
How did the Korea vs Czechia match end? South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 at Guadalajara Stadium on 11 June, in the opening Group A match for both sides.
Who scored the goals? Czechia’s Ladislav Krejčí headed in the opener in the 59th minute; Korea answered through Hwang In-beom’s equalizer in the 67th and Oh Hyeon-gyu’s winner in the 80th.
Why is Hwang In-beom’s record special? Hwang is only the third Korean player to record a goal and an assist in a single World Cup match. Choi Soon-ho (1986) and Hong Myung-bo (1994) did it before him; Hong is now Korea’s head coach.
What did coach Hong Myung-bo say after the match? He called it “our first game, and a very difficult one,” and praised his players most for not giving up and winning anyway.
Did Son Heung-min score? No. Son created several chances but did not find the net; the goals came from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu.
What was the stadium atmosphere like? The 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium had an announced attendance of 44,985, but empty seats were visible throughout. FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended.
What is Korea’s World Cup record? Korea have reached an 11th consecutive and 12th overall World Cup, the most of any Asian nation. Their best finish was fourth place in 2002.
When does Korea play next? Korea face host nation Mexico on 18 June in Guadalajara. Mexico also won their opener, beating South Africa 2-0.
What is the current Group A situation? Korea and Mexico share the lead on three points each, while Czechia and South Africa begin without a point.
About the author: Park Ji-hoon is a football reporter at Kickoff Korea, specializing in K League and South Korea national team coverage. As the Korean arm of the Kickoff network, Kickoff Korea is a sister outlet to Tokyo’s Kickoff Japan (Kentaro Tanaka). Contact: park@kickoffkorea.kr · LinkedIn: /in/parkjihoon-kickoffkorea
