Darko Bandic/AP
Portugal’s Ricardo Horta, third from proper, scores the opening aim previous South Korea’s goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
South Korea’s gamers shaped a circle within the centre of the sector and skilled their eyes on a number of cell telephones exhibiting a close-by match that will resolve their future at the World Cup.
The South Koreans had nearly carried out their job, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates 2-1 on a stoppage-time aim.
Now got here an agonising wait. To advance to the spherical of 16, they simply wanted Uruguay to not rating a aim in opposition to Ghana within the different group match that also had at least six minutes to play.
Thousands of red-and-white-clad South Korea followers had whipped out their telephones, too. Some prayed. Others had been crying, identical to captain Son Heung-min within the gamers’ huddle.
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They might quickly actually celebration.
South Korea superior on the tiebreaker of objectives scored, pushing Uruguay into third place Friday in one of many wildest finishes to a bunch within the event’s 92-year historical past.
Hassan Ammar/AP
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left and South Korea’s Kim Young-gwon vie for the ball.
“It really feels like a miracle,” South Korea striker Cho Gue-sung said.
South Korea and Uruguay finished with four points and both had a goal difference of zero, but the Asian team scored four goals compared to Uruguay’s two.
“We never gave up,” Son stated by way of tears. “Our gamers had been making an attempt to run an additional step extra, sacrificing themselves, and that allowed us to attain a superb outcome.“
When the Uruguay-Ghana game finished 2-0 and South Korea was sure of its second-place finish, the players on the field erupted in joy, hugging each other and squirting water in the air.
Then they got in a line and sprinted towards their fans behind one of the goals at Education City Stadium before performing a dive in front of them.
South Korea was tied at 1-1 and heading out of the tournament when a Portugal corner got cleared and Son led a length-of-the-field breakaway in the first minute of added time. He got crowded out by Portugal’s retreating defenders but had the presence of mind to slip a pass through an opponent’s legs and into the path of Hwang Hee-chan, who placed a low finish past goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Darko Bandic/AP
Hwang Hee-chan scores South Korea’s second goal against Portugal,
Hwang, who came on as a substitute for his first match at this year’s World Cup, removed his jersey and flexed his muscles. Some of his teammates fell to the ground. But there were still five minutes more of stoppage time to play.
When the final whistle blew, Son – who was sobbing with joy – and other teammates dropped dramatically to the turf, banging their fists. South Korea coach Paulo Bento, who is Portuguese, waited patiently in the tunnel while the Uruguay-Ghana match played to a finish. He couldn’t be with his players because he was serving a suspension for a red card in South Korea’s last game.
Hwang didn’t play in South Korea’s first two games because of a left hamstring injury but entered as a 66th-minute substitute against Portugal. He said the coaching staff told him: “You’re going to create something.”
Portugal had already advanced after two games and won the group, assuring Ronaldo of at least one more match in Qatar as he seeks his first World Cup title in likely his final attempt.
Ricardo Horta, starting up front alongside Ronaldo, had given Portugal the lead in the fifth minute when he converted a first-time shot off a cross from right back Diogo Dalot.
South Korea equalised with a helping hand from Ronaldo after an outswinging corner struck his back as he turned away from the ball. Kim Young-gwon swept the loose ball into the net in the 27th minute to start a comeback that had the most dramatic of endings.
“What we achieved here is special,” Son said, “and I’m so happy with our gamers.
“Making the final 16 was our aim. We did our greatest each recreation, however you simply can’t predict what occurs in soccer.”
LATE GOALS
South Korea’s players are getting used to providing late drama. Four of the team’s last seven goals at the World Cup have been scored in the 90th minute or later.
RONALDO
Ronaldo started for the third straight group game but was substituted after an ineffective 65 minutes. If he starts as expected in the last 16, he’ll have played four games in 13 days at the World Cup – having only been used for Manchester United before the tournament.
THIRD TIME
South Korea has advanced from the group stage for the third time. The team reached the semifinals on home soil in 2002 and lost in the last 16 in 2010.
South Korea advances at World Cup after stoppage-time winner
South Korea advances at World Cup after stoppage-time winner
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South Korea advances at World Cup after stoppage-time winner