LAFC superstar Son Heung-Min and South Korea kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Czechia on Thursday at Guadalajara Stadium, rallying from a second-half deficit to claim all three points.

With the victory, South Korea joined Mexico atop Group A after El Tri opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa earlier Thursday.

Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC 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.

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.

Son, who joined LAFC 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).

Hwang kicked off South Korea's comeback on Thursday in the 67th minute, responding to Czechia's 59th-minute opener from Ladislav Krejčí. The former Whitecaps Designated Player drove at the defense, beat two defenders with skillful footwork, and delicately chipped home the equalizer.

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.

Son and South Korea will look to take another step toward the knockout rounds on June 18, when they meet co-hosts Mexico at Guadalajara Stadium in a crucial Group A clash between the two opening-match winners. They'll close out their group-stage campaign against South Africa on June 24 at Monterrey Stadium.