South Korea Mounts Stunning Comeback Against Czech Republic
June 12, 2026 ยท By yayscore Newsroom
Updated:
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South Korea erased a late deficit with two rapid goals in the final 23 minutes to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their World Cup group stage opener.
The World Cup group stage match saw South Korea snatch a dramatic victory from the jaws of defeat against the Czech Republic. The Czech side had initially taken the lead but crumbled under pressure from a spirited South Korean comeback. The statistics highlight South Korea's dominance in possession (62%) and total shots (15 to 7), indicating a persistent offensive threat.
L. Krejci put the Czech Republic ahead in the 59th minute, assisted by V. Coufal, seemingly setting them on course for an opening win. However, South Korea quickly responded. Hwang In-Beom leveled the score in the 67th minute, with an assist from Lee Kang-In. The turning point arrived swift and decisive when Oh Hyeon-Gyu, a 69th-minute substitute, netted the winning goal in the 80th minute, assisted by Hwang In-Beom himself.
Adding to the late drama, the Czech Republic had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside in the 77th minute, preventing them from extending their lead and potentially changing the game's outcome. This VAR decision fueled South Korea's resolve, and they capitalized just three minutes later with the decisive goal, showcasing their resilience and clinical finishing under pressure.
This victory provides South Korea with a crucial three points in a challenging World Cup group. For the Czech Republic, it's a disappointing start, squandering a lead and underlining the need for a stronger defensive performance and more clinical attacking play in their subsequent fixtures to avoid an early exit from the tournament.