The ongoing Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup is getting more and more interesting as big teams are dropping out. Uruguay and Cameroon became the latest big teams to drop out of the tournament despite their individual wins.
South Korea shocked man as they beat Portugal 2-1. At one stadium there were tears of joy for South Korea. At the other, Uruguay’s team were all tears. It was Tottenham’s Son Heung-min and his team-mates who were overwhelmed with joy as their place in the last 16 was finally confirmed with a 2-1 win over Portugal.
An inconsolable Luis Suarez and Co were left in disbelief at Al Janoub Stadium after Hwang Hee-chan’s injury-time strike had left Uruguay one goal short of qualification, despite a 2-0 victory over Ghana.
It was roughly eight minutes after the final whistle at Education City Stadium when South Korea were able to get their party started. Their players and coaches had followed the end of Uruguay’s game with Ghana in a mass huddle on the pitch and their thousands of fans in the stands had done the same.
The South Korea fans had actually been bouncing about all day, remaining excitable when their team fell behind early on or when they were labouring in search of a winner in the second half.
English Premier League side striker Son created the dream finish they craved, setting up Wolves frontman Hwang to score the stoppage-time goal that was just the start of their happy ending. Some fans around me were aware that put them above Uruguay on goals scored, others just knew they now had a chance of qualifying. All of them were anxious as they awaited their fate.