Status: 12/02/2022 6:59 p.m
South Korea turned the game around against already qualified Portugal and won 2-1 with a goal in added time. With more goals scored than Uruguay, the South Koreans are now in the round of 16.
Already in the 5th minute the Portuguese took the lead through Ricardo Horta. Young-gwon Kim’s equalizer (27′) brought the South Koreans back into the game. The hope of reaching the round of 16 remained for a long time, the South Koreans were only missing a goal. After the South Koreans hardly managed anything in the second half, Hee-chan Hwang scored the redeeming goal in injury time (90 + 1).
With two wins from two games, the Portuguese had already secured the ticket to the round of 16, but with a defeat they could have finished the preliminary round in second place in group H. South Korea had to win and also hope for the parallel game between Ghana and Uruguay.
Both teams in the round of 16
If Ghana won, the South Koreans would have had no chance. Because Uruguay “only” won 2-0 against Ghana, South Korea is very close to the round of 16 with more goals scored. “I’m happy, it’s deserved. We deserve it. We’ve done more than enough in three games. We’re very happy,” said South Korea’s assistant coach Sergio Costa, replacing the suspended Paulo Bento.
On the other hand, Portugal coach Fernando Santos expressed his disappointment despite finishing first in the group: “We have shown good things, but also not so good ones. It could be a wake-up call for us.”
Portugal shock South Korea early
A cautious beginning came to an abrupt end with the first Portuguese attack. With a strong sprint, right-back Dalot moved to the baseline on the right side of the penalty area, put the ball in the middle and Ricardo Horta pushed it into the far corner. A beautifully played goal to make it 1-0 early on.
Ricardo Horta celebrates his goal to make it 1-0 (5th)
Image: IMAGO / Shutterstock
With assist provider Dalot and Sagittarius Horta, two of the six new players in the starting XI were involved in the lead. Portugal coach Fernando Santos rested some of his stars like Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t let this World Cup mission be taken away either.
South Korea is fighting back
After falling behind, South Korea was under even more pressure. There was a first offensive exclamation mark when Jin-su Kim scored a corner and extended the ball for the supposed equalizer. The goal was rightly called back because of an offside position.
However, the scene ensured that South Korea regained courage and became more active. Portugal retreated into their own half and let the South Koreans come through. Then it was another corner and the ball landed in the net – this time in a regular manner. Ronaldo involuntarily extended to Young-gwon Kim, who hammered the ball into the net from about four meters.
Young-gwon Kim to 1: 1 (27th)
Image: IMAGO / Matthias Koch
As a result, the game was open. The South Koreans started getting better and better after equalizing, but Portugal had the better scoring chances. After a rebound, Ronaldo couldn’t control the ball and headed the ball wide of the goal in flight.
Portugal dominates after the break
Both teams continued unchanged in terms of personnel in the second half. South Korea was just one goal away from qualifying for the round of 16 at that point. However, the initial phase again belonged to the Portuguese, who, however, acted offensively without much will.
In the 63rd minute, Santos made his first change and made a triple substitution for captain Ronaldo, replaced by RB Leipzig’s André Silva. At the other end, South Korea coach Bento also made substitutions from the stands with Hee-chan Hwang and Jae-sung Lee. The Portuguese coach had to sit in the stands after receiving a red card in the game against Ghana and was replaced on the line by his assistant.
Time is running out for South Korea
The changes seemed to be paying off: South Korea, like in the first half, got better and got closer to the goal. However, a free kick from Kang-in Lee from a promising position went wide of the target (73′). The Asians were keen to create chances while the Portuguese looked more for counterattacks.
Ten minutes before the end of regular time, South Korea put everything on one card with a triple substitution. Furthermore, one goal was enough for the round of 16. Redemption came shortly before the end: The South Koreans countered from a corner, Heung-min Son pushed through to Hee-chan Hwang, who shot the ball into the goal (90′ + 1′). “I’m very proud, I want to thank all the Korean fans. It’s a gift for them,” said the goal-scorer after the whistle.
South Korea’s Hwang Hee-chan celebrates scoring to win Portugal 2-1 (90+1)
Image: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
The South Koreans cheered late – and then had to tremble for a long time. The parallel game continued for a few minutes. Uruguay also needed just one goal against Ghana to progress. But they couldn’t do that in injury time.
Round of 16 on Tuesday
As group winners, Portugal now meets the runners-up in Group G. Who that will be will be decided in the evening games at the end of the preliminary round. South Korea meets the group winners of the same group. South Korea’s assistant coach doesn’t want to think about the opponent at first: “We’ll celebrate first. We have to see who our next opponent is. Maybe Brazil? We’ll get involved.”
Source: sportschau.de