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Hwang Hee-Chan after his goal
Photo:
Alex Grimm/Getty Images
South Korea is in the last 16 of the World Cup thanks to a late 2-1 (1-1) win over Portugal.
Uruguay failed despite a 2-0 (2-0) win against Ghana.
Goal difference tipped the scales in Group H, with Uruguay missing a goal to progress.
Portugal had already qualified and will advance to the next round as group winners.
Portugal had already qualified for the round of 16 before the final group game thanks to victories against Ghana (3-2) and Uruguay (2-0).
Coach Fernando Santos therefore changed his starting eleven to six positions – but let superstar Cristiano Ronaldo play.
However, the first goal for Portugal was not scored by Portugal's record attacker, but by Ricardo Horta.
After a long pass from defender Pepe, Diogo Dalot moved relatively unchallenged into the penalty area, put it back on Horta – and Horta was able to put the ball into the left corner to take the lead (5').
South Korea needed a win to have a chance of reaching the round of 16.
And hope returned in the first half.
After a corner, the ball fell off Ronaldo's back at Kim Young-Gwon's feet, who used the opportunity to equalize from close range (27').
In the second half, Ronaldo went out of the game and was rested for the round of 16.
South Korea tried to add another goal, really dangerous chances didn't arise anymore.
And indeed, the South Koreans scored the opening goal in injury time through Hwang Hee-Chan - and with it the entry into the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Before kick-off, all eyes were on Luis Suárez.
Uruguay's attacker cleared the ball off the line after 120 minutes of play against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals.
Suárez saw the red card but Ghana missed the penalty and then lost on penalties.
'All Ghana hates him and all Africa hates him.
We want revenge,” said former international Ibrahim Ayew.
Suárez put his stamp on the game again this time.
At the beginning, however, the focus was on Ibrahim Ayew's brother André Ayew - and again it was a penalty.
Uruguay keeper Sergio Rochet was late against Mohammed Kudus.
After consulting the video assistant, the German referee Daniel Siebert awarded a penalty.
Captain Ayew came on - and failed with a weak attempt at Rochet (21st minute).
This setback visibly upset Ghana, who had been the better team up to that point.
Uruguay improved and scored their first goal of these World Cup finals.
After a cross, the ball slipped through to Suárez.
The 35-year-old took aim and the deflected ball tumbled towards the goal before Giorgian de Arrascaeta headed it over the line (26').
Uruguay missed the third goal
Ghana was then off the roll.
A draw might have been enough for the Africans to advance, but coach Otto Addo's team promptly conceded the next goal.
De Arrascaeta scored again, this time with a direct acceptance in the penalty area after a cross from Suárez (31').
Ghana then tried a few more, but didn't get any significant chances.
In the second half, Ghana started with a lot of offensive drive, substitute Osman Bukari put a shot just wide of the goal (46th).
Then Uruguay found their way back into the game.
Attacker Darwin Núñez fell after a long ball after a tackle with Daniel Amartey.
Uruguay called for a penalty, but Siebert decided to continue playing after viewing the video images (57th).
After that, Uruguay were closer to the third goal than Ghana to the equalizer.
However, the South Americans missed the third goal and are out on goal difference.
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