After an extended wait of 8 mins or so, Korea celebrated once more as they sealed the remaining 16 spot with Portugal, who crowned the gang regardless of the loss. It used to be a heartbreaking finish for Uruguay, who defeated Ghana 2-0 however overlooked the knockout bus on objectives scored.
Portugal completed with six issues from 3 video games, adopted by way of Korea on 4 issues. Uruguay additionally ended the gang level with 4 issues and feature a equivalent function distinction of 0 as Korea however the Asian facet has scored 4 objectives compared to the South American’s two. Ghana completed on the backside with 3 issues.
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Portugal took the lead within 5 mins with Ricardo Horta’s function, however Korea saved their composure of their do-or-die fit and Kim Young-gwon scored the equalizer within the twenty seventh minute. With Uruguay already 2–0 up in opposition to Ghana on the halftime smash, Korea wanted a function to development additional in the second one part. And the winner got here past due within the stoppage time with ‘supersub’ Hwang Hee-chan placing Korea forward of Uruguay within the knockout race.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers’ ahead slipped within the winner within the 91st minute on the Education City Stadium in Qatar to spark delirium and tears some of the Korean fanatics.
Talisman Son Heung-min, who arrange the winner, collapsed to the ground and lay on his again at the turf on the ultimate whistle. He had tears in his eyes.
The Korean gamers then stood in a huddle at the pitch observing the Ghana v Uruguay fit on a cell phone as they awaited their puts within the remaining 16 to be showed.
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A far-changed Portugal had taken a fifth-minute lead via Ricardo Horta however the Koreans, who needed to win to face any likelihood of staying alive, hit again within the twenty seventh minute via Kim Young-gwon.
Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo performed an element within the Korean equaliser, turning his again on a nook and the ball hitting him to arrange Kim.
South Korea and their skipper Son, in a masks after fresh surgical operation, had to ranking once more however they didn’t in point of fact bother Portugal till Son arrange Hwang in damage time after a nice run.
Before a ball used to be even kicked a roar went up at Education City Stadium each time Ronaldo’s face popped up at the large display, even right through the nationwide anthems. There had been some jeers too and chants of “Messi, Messi”.
South Korea trainer Paulo Bento, the previous Portuguese global, needed to watch from the stands after he used to be despatched off following the general whistle of the Koreans’ 3–2 defeat to Ghana.
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He saw his men fall behind after just five minutes when defender Pepe played the ball down the right to Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot.
Dalot easily evaded a weak Korean challenge and pulled the ball back from the byline for winger Horta to fire unmarked into the back of the net in front of a 44,000 crowd.
With qualification already secure, Portugal made six changes from the team that beat Uruguay 2-0, Dalot and Horta among those bought in.
But they still looked dangerous every time they went forward in the first half against a Korean defense missing Napoli’s Kim Min-jae.
South Korean skipper Son, the Spurs forward, was yet to get going at this World Cup after surgery for a fracture around his left eye at the start of November.
Wearing a black mask to protect the wound, the 30-year-old showed glimpses of his brilliant best as South Korea chased the win they so badly needed.
South Korea were threatening to get on top and in the 27th minute they were level.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo, surely playing at his last World Cup, unwittingly played a central role in the South Korean goal.
Currently without a club after his bitter departure from Manchester United, the forward turned his back on a Korean corner and the ball hit his shoulder and fell straight to defender Kim to turn in.
The second half was more of the same — Portugal enjoying more possession and stroking the ball around but South Korea and an increasingly influential Son a threat on the break.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos brought Ronaldo off on 65 minutes to save his legs, then attacker Hwang came on and proved to be the hero at the death.
(With inputs from companies)