Portugal and South Korea will be in the next round of the ongoing FIFA World cup tournament in Qatar.
On Friday, the conclusion to Group H came with a dramatic plot twist of it’s own. There was pandemonium in the group as Ghana, one of the representatives of Africa failed to secure a win against their South American rivals, Uruguay.
Ghana missed out on the opportunity to qualify from the group after losing 2-0 to Uruguay.
After twelve years of waiting, the Black Stars of Ghana underperformed in what would be described as a quintessential part of their modern history.
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Ghana wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead midway through the first half when Ayew‘s spot-kick was pawed away by Sergio Rochet, who had been penalized for a foul on Mohammed Kudus following a pitch side review by referee Daniel Siebert.
Darwin Nunez was denied by a superb goal-line clearance from Mohammed Salisu soon after, but Uruguay punished Ghana in the 26th minute when De Arrascaeta headed in from two yards after Lawrence Ati-Zigi had failed to adequately deal with Suarez‘s shot.
The Flamengo forward added a second just six minutes later, firing home a crisp volley from eight yards after Suarez had expertly picked him out.
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South Korea Leaves It Late Against Portugal
Hwang Hee-chan scored a stoppage-time winner to beat Portugal 2-1 and put South Korea through to the last 16 of the World Cup at the expense of Uruguay in a dramatic conclusion to Group H.
The Taeguk Warriors appeared to be heading out as they looked set to draw while Uruguay led Ghana elsewhere but Hwang netted at the end to complete an incredible turnaround.
Ricardo Horta had put Portugal in front early on, but they failed to heed the warning posed by Kim Jin-su‘s disallowed goal soon after, with Kim Young-gwon deservedly getting South Korea back on level terms.
Portugal — who won the group anyway — coasted through the second half and South Korea took full advantage, with Hwang landing the decisive blow to spark bedlam and send Uruguay packing.
Here is how the group finished.
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