Ronaldo's Lowest Rating Humiliation... Highest Score Goes to Son Heung-min

BBC, Son Heung-min Rating 9.15... Ronaldo 3.77

The South Korean national football team is celebrating their victory after winning the third group stage match against Portugal in Group H of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, held on the morning of the 3rd (Korean time) at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, securing their advancement to the round of 16. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] The unscripted drama created by the South Korean national football team at the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup was widely highlighted by foreign media.

Led by coach Paulo Bento, the South Korean team achieved a dramatic comeback victory against Portugal in the third group stage match of Group H at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on the 3rd (Korean time).

Although they conceded the opening goal to Ricardo Horta in the 5th minute of the first half, Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan) equalized in the 27th minute. During a corner kick situation, a ball delivered by Lee Kang-in (Mallorca) hit Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (formerly of Manchester United) and created a scoring chance for Kim Young-gwon.

The match was decided only in stoppage time of the second half. In the 46th minute of the second half, with the score tied 1-1, Son Heung-min (Tottenham) intercepted the ball in South Korea’s half and dribbled alone for over 70 meters, breaking through the challenges of the advancing Portuguese defenders before making a penetrating pass to Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton). Hwang calmly shook the net, opening the door to the round of 16.

Foreign media also marveled at South Korea’s dramatic comeback victory. The British BBC vividly reported the flow of the match, saying, "(South Korea) overcame early struggles and reached a happy ending."

They especially focused on the winning goal created by the collaboration of Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, who both play in the English Premier League (EPL). The BBC commented, "Son Heung-min, a Tottenham star and hero of Korean football, seemed to carry everything on his own throughout the match," but added, "In stoppage time of the second half, Son passed instead of shooting, and Hwang finished brilliantly, delivering another twist in this World Cup."

The British Guardian covered South Korea’s dramatic victory under the headline 'Hwang Hee-chan shoots South Korea into the round of 16 against Portugal.' The Guardian explained, "When the final whistle blew, Son Heung-min threw his mask into the air," and noted, "If Uruguay had scored just one more goal against Ghana, South Korea would not have advanced to the next round."

AFP also highlighted South Korea’s dramatic win, stating, "They defeated Portugal by shaking the net in stoppage time and inflicted a painful exit on Uruguay." It also detailed the scene after the match where South Korean players watched the Uruguay vs. Ghana game on their phones at the center of the pitch, anxiously awaiting confirmation of their advancement to the round of 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo (left in the photo) is bowing his head. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

FIFA selected Hwang Hee-chan as the Player of the Match (MVP) for the game. The BBC gave the highest rating of 9.15 to Son Heung-min, who assisted the winning goal, naming him the MVP. Hwang Hee-chan received a rating of 8.88 from the BBC. No Portuguese player received a rating above 6. Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo’s rating was 3.77, the lowest among all players who appeared that day.

US-based ESPN also gave Son Heung-min the highest rating of 9 and Ronaldo the lowest rating of 5. ESPN commented, "Son Heung-min calmly led the team to victory even under intense pressure," while criticizing Ronaldo, saying, "He turned his back and did nothing during South Korea’s first scoring opportunity, contributing to Portugal’s concession."