Qatar 2022: South Korea Books R16 Slot Against All Odds!

South Korea beat Portugal 2-1 on Friday night in the last group H game to book a place in the round of 16 against all odds.

It turned out to be a shocker as South Korea won their qualification ticket in the last moments of the game. In a game of no stakes for Portugal at Al-Rayyan stadium, Ronaldo and co took an early lead in the 5th minute.

On an assist from José Diogo Dalot Teixeira, Ricardo Jorge da Luz Horta opened the scores.

South Korea regrouped and Portugal’s lead did not stop the South Koreans from attacking, with Gue-sung and Son Heung-Min being the most prominent early in the game.

Portugal who came in with a reshuffled team, showed little commitment to the game and finally paid the price for their lackluster nature. In the 27th minute, Kim Young-gwon equalised for South Korea. In a rather interesting first stanza, especially on the South Korean side, the two teams separated with a one-all parity.

After the break, Portugal did not change their face, putting little commitment into the final third and failing.

More determined, South Korea scored the tie-breaker. On an assist from Heung-Min Son, Hwang Hee-Chan struck passed Diogo Costa in the Portuguese goal at the 91st minute.

The match ended with a 2-1 score, allowing South Korea to qualify with 4 points in group H, behind leaders Portugal with 6 points.

South Korea will face Brazil on Monday December 5 in the round of 16 at the 974 – Ras Abu Aboud stadium.