World Cup: Mexico romp, South Korea edge Czechia
Join Ligue 1 McDonald's as we look back at the action from the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup, with hosts Mexico beating South Africa and South Korea coming from behind to beat Czechia.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
On a stifling afternoon in Mexico City, the hosts got their tournament off to a strong start, with Raul Jimenez and Julián Quinones scoring either side of halftime. South Africa, for whom former AS Monaco striker Lyle Foster led the line, played valiantly but were ultimately overmatched and scarcely helped by a pair of red cards, the first coming on 47 minutes as Yaya Sithole was dismissed for a last man foul. While Mexico would also have a man sent off, the result was never in doubt, with El Tri securing a comprehensive win that leaves them atop the group.
First World Cup 26 match, first assist. 🅰️
Lee Kang-In. 🇰🇷💫 pic.twitter.com/oHNWzSuiWE— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 12, 2026
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
In the day's other Group A match, a South Korea side with Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-In among the starting lineup faced Czechia and Pavel Šulc (Olympique Lyonnais) in Guadalajara, Mexico. After a brief early spell of strong play by Czechia, South Korea dominated the early stages of the match, with Lee driving much of his side's attacking, but Son Heung-Min had failed to bring his shooting boots, failing to trouble the Czechia 'keeper with any of his efforts. Lee would force Matěj Kovář into a diving save with an effort from range (14'), but South Korea would get no closer before the break.
After the half, Czechia grew into the match, threatening from set pieces and using their physicality better to their advantage. Just before the hour, they would make this pay, with Ladislav Krejčí heading home from a corner (59'). Despite conceding, South Korea were undaunted, and would level eight minutes late, with Lee setting up Hwang In-beom's curling effort (67'). In a furious conclusion to the match, Czechia then thought they'd gone ahead (75') only for the offside flag to go up, but it would be South Korea who eventually scored the match's third goal, with Oh Hyeon-gyu netting ten minutes from time to secure the final margin.
