Hwang In-beom Inspires South Korea's Comeback Win Over Czech Republic at WC26

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, witnessed an exciting turnaround in Guadalajara as South Korea rallied to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 on Thursday night. Midfielder Hwang In-beom was the architect of the victory, scoring one goal and setting up the decisive second, ensuring a positive start for the Asian side in the tournament's early fixtures.

The match, played in front of a sparse crowd at Guadalajara Stadium, initially saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm. The Czech Republic, making their first World Cup appearance since 2006, broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when captain Ladislav Krejci headed home from a long throw-in. This put pressure on the South Korean squad, led by star forward Son Heung-min, who had dominated possession but failed to convert earlier opportunities.

However, South Korea's persistence paid off. Hwang In-beom equalized in the 67th minute with a skillful individual effort, faking a shot to create space before slotting the ball past the Czech goalkeeper. Just 13 minutes later, Hwang turned provider, delivering a precise cross from the right flank that allowed Oh Hyeon-gyu to net the winning goal in the 80th minute. The dramatic comeback sparked jubilant celebrations among the South Korean players and their supporters, underscoring the competitive spirit of the expanded 48-team tournament.