World Cup: Portugal painless ko, the joy of South Korea of ​​Qatar 2022

First place with a painless defeat for Portugal which, overconfident, leaves many starters to rest, plays at a slow trot, is caught up and overtaken by the combative South Korea, which qualifies in second place by overtaking Uruguay (equal points and goal difference) for scoring more. At the beginning of the recovery, a lightness from the Portuguese decides who expose themselves to Son’s counterattack. The Tottenham striker, despite the arrival of three opposing defenders, opens well for Hwang who drives his fans crazy and throws those of Uruguay into despair. Ronaldo plays for an hour, eats a goal while coach Santos exaggerates in the rotation of his sumptuous squad that aspires to go all the way. Ruben Dias, Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva rest, a few minutes for Bruno Fernandes and William Carvalho while Diogo Costa, Cancelo and Ruben Neves do their duty.

Leao comes on in the second half, but has little space in this top-level team. Ricardo Horta plays as a striker, finding the advantage on a great run by the former AC Milan player Dalot, who was positive in the first half. The 38-year-old Pepe takes care of the defense, but gets involved in the final topic. The coach would like to win and in the end fields a team that is too unbalanced, with Joao Mario supporting Andrè Silva, Ricardo Horta and Leao. Defeat has no consequences, it punishes the arrogance of the Europeans and rewards the good world championship of the Asians. He misses the derby on the bench with the Portuguese coach of South Korea, Paulo Bento, disqualified after protests against Ghana. However, the coach’s hand can be seen because the team is well placed on the field, the maneuver takes place harmoniously, but the conclusions are scholastic for a long time, also because Son flares up especially in the final.

FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group H South Korea vs Portugal

Very careful Young-Gwon in opposition to Ronaldo. The absence of one of the pillars is not felt, the Neapolitan centre-back Kim. The full-field work and the interchange between the players are valuable. Also stand out are defender Young-Gwon and forward Hwan, authors of the two goals. Portugal dozed off at times, also because they found the goal straight away: in the 5th minute Dalot made an overbearing descent, who crossed for Ricardo Horta’s deflection on goal. Korea gradually gained ground, scored through Kim Jin-Su, but the goal was disallowed with offside. In the 26th minute, however, the equalizer arrived: Ronaldo deflected from a corner with his back, freeing defender Kim Young-Gwon. Portugal does not appear worried, also because Uruguay immediately goes 2-0 up with Ghana, Vitinha creates elegant initiatives. Beautiful shot by Dalot in the 34th minute deflected for a corner, first ring by Son in the 40th minute which is saved, then an excellent starting point by Vitinha which is rejected. In the second half, ball possession for Portugal. Ronaldo is always lurking, but in the 7th minute he hits the ball from a good position, South Korea tries with In-Beom and Son, but without success. Portugal also inserts Bernardo Silva, gives Leao and Andrè Silva a lead, but everyone’s concentration is minimal. The way they suffer the 2-1 on the counterattack in added time is incomprehensible: superb progression by Son, opening for Hwang who slips in Diogo Costa. Portugal has a bitter taste but lands in the round of 16 arm in arm with strong-willed South Korea. With Japan, there are now two Asian nations that pass the round.