Group H of the 2022 World Cup ended in a frenzy as South Korea advanced to the round of 16. Going into matchday three, Portugal were the only team in the group to be guaranteed qualification for the knockout round.
South Korea, despite entering the match against the Portuguese with just one point, eventually clinched second place in the group.
Going into Friday, Ghana held on to second place in Group H with three points. South Korea and Uruguay were tied at the bottom with just one point. However, it looked like it would be Uruguay’s night from the beginning of the games.
South Korea was left out of the knockout round
Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice within the first 32 minutes of Uruguay’s match with Ghana. Meanwhile, Portugal and South Korea were tied 1-1 in the other meeting. If the two games remained the same, Uruguay would be advancing to the next phase of the tournament.
Despite the seemingly set scenario, South Korea had other plans. Hwang Hee-Chan gave South Korea the lead in the 91st minute of the match.
The late goal overturned the places of the Asian team and Uruguay. As the South Korean game was some seven minutes ahead of Uruguay’s, the news quickly spread to the South American team’s bench.
Luis Suárez, who was substituted late in the Uruguay game, saw Korea’s goal and yelled at his team to go for another goal. Both South Korea and Uruguay were level on points and goal difference. However, the Asian team scored more goals than Uruguay in the group stage.
Uruguayan players furious with referee after game
The late goal never came from Uruguay. Consequently, South Korea advanced in the tournament. After the games, Suárez had to be consoled on the Uruguayan bench as he sobbed in pain. Forward Edinson Cavani received a yellow card for his post-match antics towards the referee. Multiple Uruguay players surrounded the referee as he made his way down the tunnel. The players were upset by a penalty claim late in the match.
South Korea will now play the winner of Group G on Monday. This group is currently headed by tournament favorites Brazil. Portugal will play their next match against the Group G runners-up on Tuesday.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Nordphoto
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