LAFC<\/a> superstar Son Heung-Min<\/a> and South Korea kicked off their 2026\u00a0FIFA World Cup<\/a> Group A campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory<\/a> over Czechia on Thursday at Guadalajara Stadium, rallying from a second-half deficit to claim all three points.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n With the victory, South Korea joined Mexico atop Group A after El Tri opened the tournament with a 2-0 win<\/a> over South Africa earlier Thursday.<\/p>\n Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> midfielder Hwang In-Beom fueled South Korea’s comeback with a goal and an assist, leveling the match with a brilliant solo effort before setting up Oh Hyeon-Gyu’s 80th-minute game-winner.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Son was a consistent threat throughout the match as South Korea controlled play. The LAFC forward nearly opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a long-range effort, then had a clean look on goal early in the second half that forced a reaction save.<\/p>\n Son, who joined LAFC<\/a> in August 2025 on a league-record deal from Tottenham Hotspur, is competing in his fourth World Cup and captains South Korea. His 146 caps are the most in South Korean history, and his 56 goals are second-most for the Taegeuk Warriors (Cha Bum-Kun, 58).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A comeback win in the opening match for Sonny and @theKFA<\/a> \ud83c\uddf0\ud83c\uddf7 pic.twitter.com\/KUA0k2lJ62<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 LAFC (@LAFC) June 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Hwang kicked off South Korea’s comeback on Thursday in the 67th minute, responding to Czechia’s 59th-minute opener from Ladislav Krej\u010d\u00ed. The former Whitecaps Designated Player drove at the defense, beat two defenders with skillful footwork, and delicately chipped home the equalizer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n SOUTH KOREA’S FIRST GOAL OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP LEVELS THE SCORE! \ud83c\uddf0\ud83c\uddf7<\/p>\n It’s In-Beom Hwang with the equalizer! pic.twitter.com\/r4TVFxNcmy<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n The winning goal arrived in the 80th minute as Hwang picked out Hyeon-Gyu with a dangerous cross. He met it from close range, before his shot took a slight touch off the goalkeeper on its way into the net.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
\n