(World Cup) S. Korea rally past Czechia 2-1 for opening victory

ZAPOPAN, Mexico, June 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico on Thursday, taking a big step toward a place in the knockout stage.

Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu netted the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in western Mexico, after the teams had traded a goal apiece earlier in the second half following a goalless opening half.

Ladislav Krejci headed in the match's first goal for Czechia in the 59th minute before Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer eight minutes later.

Hwang then assisted Oh's goal, which came a couple of minutes after a would-be Czechia goal was disallowed on an offside.

This was the fourth time that South Korea won their first match of a World Cup, following 2002, 2006 and 2010. South Korea progressed to the knockout phase in 2002 and 2010.

South Korea's next Group A match will be against Mexico, one of the tournament's three co-host countries, at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Estadio Guadalajara. It will be 10 a.m. next Friday in South Korea.

Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City in the tournament opener earlier Thursday.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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