South Korea defeated already-qualified Portugal 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup, and the Asian team advanced to the round of 16 ahead of Uruguay in terms of goals scored.

As South Korea’s time in the match was running out, forward Son Heung-min broke free following a corner from Portugal in extra time and slipped a pass to Hwang Hee-chan, who shot past Diogo Costa to ignite frenzied celebrations.

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The apprehensive Korean players had gathered in a circle after the final whistle to watch Uruguay play Ghana, and when word came that the South Americans had only won 2-0 in their Group H match, they were ecstatic.

In order to advance to the round of 16, South Korea had to defeat Portugal in the Education City Stadium. Their victory propelled them from fourth to second place because they had scored four goals overall, compared to Uruguay’s two.

Despite the defeat, Portugal won the group and shouldn’t face the likely Group G champions Brazil in the knockout round.

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In the fifth minute, winger Ricardo Horta scored Portugal’s opening goal after receiving a deft cutback from defender Diogo Dalot and finding himself in the box.

The Koreans believed they had equalised in the 17th minute when defender Kim Jin-su’s close-range strike beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa at his right post, but the goal was overturned for offside.

They did, however, manage to draw even ten minutes later when defender Kim Young-gwon scored after Cristiano Ronaldo’s back took the ball during a corner.

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Just after the half-hour mark, Ronaldo got his first opportunity with a solo shot that Kim Seung-gyu saved and he was in any case offside. Ronaldo was looking for a goal to equal Portugal’s overall World Cup record of nine goals scored by the legendary Eusebio.

The Portugal captain got another one-on-one opportunity with Kim, but his shot was too feeble to test the goalkeeper, and in the 65th minute, striker Andre Silva came in to give him a break.