With minutes remaining in extra time, a miracle run by South Korean Star Heung-min Son created the most important moment of South Korea’s World Cup 2022 campaign as it resulted in a match-winning goal.
Portugal, having already qualified for the round of 16, rested 3 key players for the match on Friday.
Portugal made a perfect start as their build up from the keeper released Diego Dalot on the right side who found space into the Korean penalty box and pull back a low pass for Ricardo Horta to score from a close range.
As Korea pushed for goal, Portuguese keeper made an excellent save in the 17th minute off a header by Cho.
In the 26th minute, South Korea found the equaliser as Portuguese defenders could not deal with a corner kick, as the ball hit the back of a defender and fell before Kim Young-gwon, who kicked in the ball into the net before the keeper could tackle it.
At half time, the score stood at 1-1 even as Korean keeper pulled of a string of saves to keep Korea in the game.
The second half was less eventful. South Korea was unable to make any meaningful penetration into the Portuguese defence and the regulation time ended.
In extra time, Portugal had a corner kick which was headed away from penalty box. It fell towards Son who ran from near the corner flag post to collect it.
Son then charged into the Portuguese half with the ball.
With three Portuguese defenders around him and two just behind, he was heavily outnumbered.
Hwang Hee-Chan arrived from the middle to give some support.
Son stopped with the ball just outside the Portuguese penalty box with three defenders in from of him and four just behind him, cornered.
But Son made a brilliantly weighted pass from between the legs of the defender to an incoming Hwang who turned in the ball to the back of the net with a cool finish.
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Hwang Heechan. Hero status: loading… pic.twitter.com/T2hLnZ84TN— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022
South Korea led 2-1 with just a few minutes to play, while in the other match Uruguay leading Ghana 2-0, desperately needed another goal to overtake South Korea on goal difference.
South Korea matched Portugal in key statistics as they had 13 attempts each on goal with 6 shots each on target.
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2022 🥲 pic.twitter.com/3OoIdxiPMa— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022
South Korea held on to the lead and achieved a famous victory against Portugal to enter into the knock out round of 16, where they will meet Brazil.
In the other match, Uruguay in a must win match, conceded a penalty in the 18th minute, as Keeper Rochet made a foul on Kudus.
The penalty was taken by Ayew, whose weak low shot to the left was comfortably saved by the keeper.
In the 26th minute, Ghana defenders made an error in dealing with a cross from Luis Suarez from the right. The ball was controlled by Arrascaeta whose shot from close range hit the back of the net.
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🤔 2022⏪ A Uruguayan first-half brace has only happened twice before in the #FIFAWorldCup, and both times they've gone on to win the trophy… pic.twitter.com/8pO7aKtxqR
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022
Shortly after that, Uruguay scored its second goal when Arrascaeta turned in an assist by Luis Suarez.
With Portugal and South Korea match in a stalemate, at this moment, Uruguay was second in the table and going into the round of 16.
Despite the win, Uruguay exit the World Cup with Ghana. @adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022
But as South Korea scored their second goal, they climbed above Uruguay in the points table on goal difference.
Uruguay had to score one more goal, but they had already substituted their forwards Arrascaeta, who scored their two goals and Luis Suarez who assisted the two goals.
Uruguay could not make the third goal as Luis Suarez and Arrascaeta bore worried looks from the bench, before sobbing into tears as the final whistle blew.
Uruguay’s World Cup was over as South Korea joins Portugal into the round of 16.
