South Korea opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a comeback victory, beating Czechia 2-1 in Group A on Thursday. Hwang In-Beom delivered a standout performance with a goal and an assist in quick succession, overturning an early deficit to extend the Taegeuk Warriors' winning run against European opposition.
Hwang's second-half intervention proved decisive after Czechia had taken the lead. The midfielder first set up the equalizer before slotting home the winner himself, giving South Korea a vital three points in a group that also features Belgium and Panama.
The result puts South Korea level on points with Belgium atop Group A, though the Red Devils play their opener later this week. For Czechia, the defeat leaves them needing results against Belgium and Panama to keep knockout-stage hopes alive.
South Korea face Panama next on June 18, while Czechia must regroup before a must-win clash with Belgium.
In a separate development, Japan captain Wataru Endo withdrew from his nation's World Cup squad and announced his international retirement after losing his fitness battle. Japan open Group F against the Netherlands on June 14 without their midfield anchor.
Germany defenders Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck expressed scepticism about AI-generated songs circulating around the national team. "I like it when they are real musicians and real people," Tah said ahead of their opener against Curaçao.