On the morning of the 3rd (Korean time), the Group H third match between South Korea and Portugal was held at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, during the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage. In the first half, South Korea's Kim Young-gwon scored the equalizing goal and is celebrating. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Kim Young-gwon scored an equalizer in the match against Portugal, where Korea was trailing after conceding the opening goal.
On the 3rd (Korean time) at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, during the third group stage match of Group H in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the Korean national team conceded an early goal within 5 minutes of kickoff but leveled the score at the 27th minute of the first half.
Portugal took the lead as Ricardo Horta (Braga) scored the opening goal, capitalizing on Korea's failure in one-on-one defensive marking.
Korea's counterattack followed immediately. At the 27th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in's corner kick from the left hit Cristiano Ronaldo's body and bounced off, and Kim Young-gwon shot to shake the Portuguese net.
Kim Young-gwon scored another crucial goal, following his decisive goal against Germany in the third match of the 2018 Russia World Cup. The score was tied 1-1, and Korea ended the first half in a tense battle.
Coach Paulo Bento is watching the match from the stands instead of the bench. Assistant coach S?rgio is leading the team in place of Coach Bento.
This match against Portugal is a must-win game for our national team. With a record of 1 draw and 1 loss, Korea must defeat Portugal to keep hopes alive for advancing to the round of 16. Korea's advancement will be decided based on the result of the Uruguay-Ghana match after beating Portugal.
On the other hand, Portugal is playing comfortably. Having already secured advancement to the round of 16 by defeating Ghana (3-2) and Uruguay (2-0), Portugal aims to finish first in Group H to avoid Brazil, likely the first place in Group G, in the round of 16.
Korea deployed a 4-3-3 formation in this match. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (Al Shabab) was placed in goal, with Kim Jin-su (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kim Moon-hwan (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan Hyundai), and Kwon Kyung-won (Gamba Osaka) in the back four. In midfield were Hwang In-beom (Olympiacos), Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd), and Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), while the attack was led by Cho Gue-sung (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Son Heung-min (Tottenham), and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz).
Portugal made changes to their usual starting lineup. Ronaldo, Horta, and Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) started as forwards, with Jo?o M?rio (Benfica), R?ben Neves (Wolverhampton), and Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton) in midfield. The back four consisted of Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Ant?nio Silva (Benfica), Pepe (Porto), and Jo?o Cancelo (Manchester City). Goalkeeper duties were handled by Diogo Costa (Porto).
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