S. Korea beat Portugal to march into last 16, uruguay out
SOUTH Korea scored a late, late goal to beat Portugal 2-1 in the World Cup, a win that sent the Asian side into the last 16 ahead of Uruguay by the slimmest of margins – the number of goals scored.
With the clock ticking down on South Korea’s time in the tournament, striker Son Heung-min ran free after a Portugal corner in added time and slipped a pass to Hwang Hee-chan who fired past Diogo Costa to spark wild celebrations
After an early opener for Portugal by Ricardo Horta, Kim Young-gwon gave the Taegeuk Warriors hope in the 27th minute when a corner struck Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo on the back and fell kindly for the defender to sweep the ball home.
The last-gasp win for South Korea earned them second place in Group H.
In the other match, Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice as Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 yesterday but it was not enough to keep them in the competition.
Ghana, who famously missed an extra-time spot-kick in a quarter-final against Uruguay in South Africa 12 years ago, spurned the chance to take the lead in the 21st minute when Andre Ayew’s tame penalty was easily saved by Sergio Rochet.
Uruguay made them pay with their first goals of the tournament as De Arrascaeta headed the ball over the line from close-range after a shot from Luis Suarez in the 26th minute and doubled their lead with a superb volley after Suarez was again involved in the build-up six minutes later.
The win lifted Uruguay to third place on four points. Ghana finished bottom of the group with three points.