South Korea beats Portugal and advances to World Cup 2022

South Korea beats Portugal and advances to World Cup 2022

South Korea snatched a spot in the World Cup knockout stages courtesy of a last gasp Hwang Hee-Chan goal that helped them battle from behind to beat Portugal 2-1 at Education City Stadium. Cristiano Ronaldo and his fellow countrymen were already through to the last 16 – and sitll go through as group winners – but after Ricardo Horta’s early goal, they were stunned by an inspired Korean side.

Kim Young-Gwon swept home from a corner, following a defensive error from Ronaldo, to level at 1-1. Paulo Bento’s side then huffed and puffed and it looked as though they’d be heading home bottom of Group H, until Son Heung-Min led a incisive counter-attack, feeding Wolves forward and Korean super sub Hwang to slot cooly into the bottom corner.

Uruguay could only beat Ghana 2-0 in the other game, which sent South Korea through on goals scored in second place

South Korea go through to the knockout stages
They take second place in the group behind Portugal, while Ghana and Uruguay both go out. Luis Suarez is sobbing on the bench, while serveal of his teammates are chasing the ref down the tunnel to complain about not getting a proper VAR check on that late Cavani penalty incident. The German official leaves the ptich brandishing a flurry of yellow cards

Son Heung-min was unmasked and South Korea were liberated from Group H. Eventually. Paulo Bento’s side left it until the 90th minute to secure the win they needed against Portugal and had to wait a further six minutes for confirmation that Uruguay had not pipped them to second place. A mass huddle gathered in the centre of the pitch erupted when their place in the last 16 was finally secured.

Hwang fires South Korea into last 16 with late winner against Portugal

Son threw his mask into the air after creating Hwang Hee-chan’s late winner with a superb run and pass into the substitute’s path. The Tottenham striker had collected possession deep inside his own half from a Portugal corner before sprinting away and nut-megging Diogo Dalot for Hwang to send a cool finish past Diogo Costa. South Korea had trailed after five minutes but produced the perfect comeback to follow Portugal into the knockout stage.