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Contested game in Al-Rayyan
Photo:
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Goalless in the tournament: Uruguay and South Korea started the World Cup in Qatar with a draw.
In a hard-fought game, there were many tough duels, but the game was not unfair under the good leadership of referee Clément Turpin.
South Korea was already worried before the tournament: will Son Heung-min be fit in time?
The South Korean superstar from Tottenham Hotspur was actually in the starting XI after rupturing his eye socket in early November.
Adorned with a specially made mask.
And with Son, South Korea had the better game, built up calmly and put the Uruguayan defense in place.
Once Hwang Ui-jo missed from eleven meters free in front of the goal (34th).
Young guard, old guard
Uruguay was particularly dangerous in the first half, trying to quickly bridge the pitch with youngsters like Federico Valverde or Darwin Núñez, either with transition situations or long balls.
Valverde (19th minute) shot over it, Darwin Núñez flew past a cross (22nd).
All important developments regarding the World Cup in Qatar can be found here.
Diego Godín, one of the old guard along with Luis Suárez or Edinson Cavani, had the most dangerous chance of the first round, for whom it is already the fourth world championship.
The 36-year-old central defender headed a corner off the post (43').
In the second round, the game got even harder – but also tougher.
That was due to the South Koreans, who continued to withdraw.
Until Uruguay pushed for the winner in the final stages, Núñez swiped wide of the post (81'), a resounding shot from Valverde bounced off the outside of the post (90').
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