SOUTH KOREA – PORTUGAL | Friday 4pm
Avoid the Brazil bogey at all costs. That is the imperative for Portugal, who in the event of second place in their group in the round of 16 would cross Tite’s selection, one of the most credible candidates for victory at this World Cup. A danger, however, that we can now consider averted. The Lusitanians have gained access to the knockout phase with a day to spare, and a very unlikely combination would have to occur to finish second. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are momentarily on full points and have a three-point lead over Ghana. They would only lose top spot in the event of a defeat to South Korea and a simultaneous success by the Africans over Uruguay in the other match, with Otto Addo’s Black Stars needing to win by at least a couple of goals as a matter of goal difference.
This is a remote possibility, as Fernando Santos’ men only need a point to secure top spot and face the runners-up in Group G (one of Serbia, Switzerland or Cameroon). Portugal got off to the best possible start in the competition with two convincing victories against Ghana (3-2) and Uruguay (2-0). These results bring the total of victories in the last eight matches to six, if we also include friendlies and Nations League matches. Ronaldo is playing his part and seems to have sobered up from his last spell at Manchester United; another driving force is Bruno Fernandes, who scored a brace against Celeste. But, more generally, it is the attack that appears in perfect health: in 180 minutes only Spain, France and England have scored more goals than the Portuguese.
On the other hand, hopes are at a low point for South Korea, who have picked up one point in two matches and now have to beat Portugal on the final day. Even a victory, however, could prove to be in vain, bearing in mind that it would then be necessary to hope for a draw between Uruguay and Ghana or, at the very least, a victory for the South Americans, who also have one point: only then would the goal difference come into play. On balance, the Asian selection led by Portugal’s Paulo Bento – he will not be on the bench because disqualified – is a foot and a half out of Qatar 2022.
South Korea-Portugal: latest line-up news
Cho
Paulo Bento will reintroduce the 4-2-3-1 and the same eleven with which he faced Ghana last Thursday, losing a crushing 3-2 defeat that will probably prove decisive for elimination. There is the confirmation in attack of centre-forward Cho, one of the protagonists of the challenge against the Black Stars with a double. On the other hand, Hwang, who has so far been unable to play due to a knee problem, will be sidelined against Portugal. The most awaited will be Son as usual: the Tottenham star, however, has not yet been able to find the way to goal.
In Portugal, there are the defections of Nuno Mendes, who left in tears against Uruguay, and Danilo Pereira, who is struggling with a rib fracture. Guerreiro will take the place of the Psg left-back, while in midfield William Carvalho should play again, in light of the muscle problems of Otavio, who is still not at his best. From the bench Leao: by now it is clear that the coach prefers him to Joao Felix.
The Prediction
South Korea, in addition to a good application of pressing and an excellent tactical organisation, has to deal with evident technical limitations in all departments, apart from a few individualities (Kim, Son) that compensate – with difficulty – for these shortcomings. Against Portugal, they will not be able to be satisfied with a draw, and being forced to be unbalanced will expose themselves to numerous risks: on the other side, in fact, there is one of the most prolific attacks of the tournament, which has so far found its way with extraordinary consistency. Another victory for the Portuguese is likely, within a match of at least three goals in total. In every Portugal match so far, more goals have been scored in the second half and this one should be no exception.
South Korea v Portugal line-up probables
- SOUTH KOREA (4-2-3-1): Seung-gyu Kim; Moon-hwan Kim, Min-jae Kim, Young-gwon Kim, Jin-su Kim; Woo-young Jung, In-beom Hwang; Chang-hoon Kwon, Woo-yeong Jeong, Heung-min Son; Gue-sung Cho.
- PORTOGALLO (4-3-1-2): Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Guerreiro; Bernardo Silva, Ruben Neves, William Carvalho; Bruno Fernandes; Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2