The FIFA World Cup in Qatar has produced but extra intense drama
A sensational injury-time purpose from Hwang Hee-chan gave South Korea an unlikely come-from-behind win towards Portugal and ensured that they took the place of Uruguay within the knockout phases of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The South American crew appeared to be cruising into the final 16 with a complete 2-Zero win towards Ghana in what was a rematch of the 2 groups’ controversial assembly on the 2010 World Cup.
A pair of first-half objectives from Giorgian de Arrascaeta put Uruguay within the driver’s seat on the Al Janoub Stadium towards Ghana in a sport which was overshadowed considerably by the narrative of Luis Suarez’ dramatic handball (and resulted missed penalty) 12 years in the past which halted Ghana’s journey in South Africa.
This time round, it was the Ghanaians who fluffed their strains from the penalty spot when Jordan Ayew’s tame spot-kick was scooped up by Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
2 – Since detailed assortment started in 1966, Ghana are the one aspect to overlook two penalties towards a single opponent on the World Cup, excluding shoot-outs (in 2010 and 2022 vs Uruguay). Flashbacks. pic.twitter.com/bDdeq4TpDG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2022
It proved to be their greatest likelihood of the sport. Two objectives in six minutes from de Arrascaeta appeared to have all however confirmed Uruguay’s place within the subsequent spherical – particularly with the rating going their approach within the different Group H fixture.
However the tide would quickly flip. Kim Younger-Gwon’s equalizer towards Portugal for South Korea gave them a glimmer of hope, nevertheless it appeared as if their likelihood to mount a dramatic comeback had come and gone as the sport ticked into harm time.
That was, earlier than an errant nook from Portugal broke into the stride of a counter-attacking Son Heung-min, who expertly slid the ball into the trail of Hwang Hee-Chan who poked the ball previous Diogo Costa within the Portuguese purpose within the 92nd minute.
The late purpose meant that South Korea had jumped above Uruguay within the standings, and with Suarez’s face a portrait of sheer nervousness on the sidelines his crew could not rating the one purpose which might have ensured their qualification – even after a number of shut possibilities and, after all, a late penalty attraction.
When the smoke cleared it was Portugal who topped the group, with South Korea ending runners-up forward of Uruguay – with objectives scored being the one statistic which divided them.
Uruguay now be part of the likes of Belgium and Germany in calling up their journey agent to ebook a visit again residence, and in Seoul you’ll be able to make sure that the occasion is just simply starting.
South Korea’s prize for shifting to final 16 will nearly definitely be towards Brazil in the event that they prime Group G as anticipated, with Portugal anticipated to play the winner of Friday night’s conflict between Serbia and Switzerland.