South Korea Fight Back to Beat Czech Republic 2-1 at World Cup 2026

Hwang In-Beom flips it in Guadalajara

At Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, South Korea came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in this World Cup 2026 Group A match. It was a comeback that mirrored what the numbers had been pointing to all night.

South Korea dominated the ball with 62% possession and turned that control into chances. Their expected goals (xG, a measure of shot quality) reached 2.3, against just 0.83 for the Czech Republic, and they created four big chances to the Czechs' one. Six shots on target from South Korea told the same story as the play itself.

The Czech Republic actually struck first, but couldn't hold on. By full time, the comeback was complete on a clear, mild night in Guadalajara, with Hwang In-Beom at the centre of both South Korean goals.

Who Egypt's Omar sent out at Estadio Akron

From Krejci's opener to Oh's 80th-minute clincher

The match opened up in the second half. In the 59th minute, L. Krejci put the Czech Republic ahead, finishing off a V. Coufal assist to silence the South Korean control that had built through the first hour.

The response was quick. South Korea sent on Hwang Hee-Chan for Lee Jae-Sung in the 62nd minute, and the Czech Republic answered with a triple change two minutes later. In the 67th minute, Hwang In-Beom levelled it, finishing a Lee Kang-In pass. South Korea then rolled the dice again, with Oh Hyeon-Gyu coming on for Son Heung-Min.

That swap paid off. The Czech Republic thought they had retaken the lead in the 77th minute, but T. Soucek's effort was ruled out for offside after a video assistant referee (VAR) check. Three minutes later, Oh Hyeon-Gyu made it 2-1, this time set up by Hwang In-Beom, who had a hand in both goals. Late substitutions followed on both sides, and Lee Gi-Hyuk picked up a yellow card deep into stoppage time as South Korea saw out the win.

The model's coin-flip that landed on Korea

There wasn't a clear lean from the futbol.so community on this one, so the official forecast is the best reference point. And it was about as close to a toss-up as you'll see.

The model gave South Korea a slight edge at roughly 37%, with the draw near 31% and a Czech Republic win around 32%. In other words, this was framed as a genuine three-way pick rather than a comfortable favourite. The eventual 2-1 South Korea win matched the model's projected scoreline, even if the route there — going a goal down before the comeback — was anything but straightforward.

Video highlights

FIFA WC 2026 | South Korea - Czech Republic 2:1 | Group A | 1. kolo

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Despite the result, both teams are out of the group stage. With three matches played, South Korea sit third in Group A on three points but rank tenth among the third-placed teams, and only the eight best thirds advance to the Round of 32, so they don't make the cut. The Czech Republic finish fourth on one point and are also eliminated.

It's a win to take home, then, even if it comes too late to extend either side's tournament.