South Korea qualify for World Cup knockout stage after coming from behind to beat Portugal

AL RAYYAN, Qatar: It didn’t matter if it was a screamer, a header, or even a tap-in.

All South Korea needed was one goal to seal their spot in the World Cup Round of 16.

With hopes flagging and players fading, Paulo Bento's side snatched a dramatic winner in stoppage time to edge out fancied Portugal 2-1 on Friday (Dec 2).

A sensational run from Son Heung-min saw him play in substitute Hwang Hee-chan, who coolly slotted home, sending South Korean fans into a frenzy.

In the other Group H match played simultaneously with this fixture, Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0.

Uruguay's result meant that South Korea needed a one-goal victory to put them level on points and goal difference with the South American side, and progress having scored more goals in the group stage.

The results left Portugal top of Group H, with South Korea finishing second.

The announcement of the starting line-ups before the game began saw the loudest roars reserved for 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.

The widespread adulation extended through the stands with eyeballs and phones glued to the former Manchester United man’s every move.

But it was a current Red Devils player who helped put the ninth-ranked Portugal ahead with just five minutes played. A rampaging Diogo Dalot burst forward, cut inside his man and squared the ball for Ricardo Horta to curl home.

Despite going behind, South Korea looked positive. They had the ball in the back of the net in the 16th minute, but Kim Jin-su was judged to have been offside when he tapped the ball in.

Their dominance eventually paid off in the 27th minute, as Kim Young-gwon bundled home off a corner after poor Portuguese defending.

The goal roused Fernando Santos’ Portugal from their slumber, and a dangerous drive from the impressive