The Group H clash between South Korea and Portugal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup stands out as one of the most chaotic, high-stakes encounters in tournament history. Staged at Education City Stadium on December 2, 2022, the match delivered everything: early goals, tactical adjustments, a heroic box-to-box counter-attack in stoppage time, and an agonizing post-match wait. South Korea needed a win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, while already-qualified Portugal aimed to seal top spot in the group.
Portugal struck first through Ricardo Horta in the 5th minute, but South Korea responded with resilience. Kim Young-gwon equalized in the first half before substitute Hwang Hee-chan scored a legendary 91st-minute winner, sealing a 2-1 victory and sending the Asian side through to the Round of 16.
Match Context and Group H Stakes
Entering the final round of Group H fixtures, Portugal sat comfortably at the top with six points, having secured qualification after wins against Ghana and Uruguay. South Korea sat in a precarious position with just one point from their opening two games—a scoreless draw with Uruguay and a 3-2 defeat to Ghana.
To advance, South Korea faced a strict set of conditions. They had to beat Portugal and simultaneously hope that the result between Ghana and Uruguay swung in their favor. The mathematical tension created an electric atmosphere inside the stadium, as players and fans alike kept one eye on the pitch and another on live updates from the simultaneous fixture.
Early Drama and First-Half Goals
Portugal manager Fernando Santos made several changes to his starting lineup, resting key players while keeping Cristiano Ronaldo upfront. The rotated side wasted no time making an impact.
In the 5th minute, Pepe launched a pinpoint long ball from deep inside his own half to find Diogo Dalot sprinting down the right flank. Dalot drove past his marker and cut the ball back cleanly into the penalty area, where Ricardo Horta arrived unmarked to fire a clinical right-footed shot past goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
- 5th Minute (Portugal Goal): Ricardo Horta opens the scoring with a precise finish from a Dalot assist.
- 27th Minute (South Korea Goal): Kim Young-gwon capitalizes on a defensive lapse during a corner kick to equalize.
South Korea didn't fold after conceding. They began pressing higher up the pitch, utilizing the pace of Son Heung-min and the creativity of Lee Kang-in. In the 27th minute, a corner kick from Lee Kang-in deflected off Ronaldo's back inside the six-yard box, dropping kindly for Kim Young-gwon. The center-back reacted fastest, smashing a left-footed shot past Diogo Costa to level the score.
Tactical Shifts and Second-Half Stalemate
The second half turned into a tactical chess match. Portugal controlled the majority of possession—finishing the match with 60% of the ball—but struggled to break down a disciplined South Korean defensive block.
Around the 65th minute, Santos opted to rest Ronaldo, Ruben Neves, and Matheus Nunes, introducing fresh legs in Rafael Leao, Andre Silva, and Joao Palhinha. Meanwhile, South Korea introduced Hwang Hee-chan to inject direct running and counter-attacking threat.
The game grew tense as both teams traded half-chances. South Korea's front line tested Costa from distance, while Portugal's substitutes probed down the wings without finding a clinical final touch. As regulation time wound down, a draw seemed certain—a result that would have eliminated South Korea.
The Stoppage-Time Winner
The defining moment of the match arrived in the 91st minute. Portugal mounted a corner kick attack that was cleared away by the South Korean defense. The ball fell to Son Heung-min, who collected it deep inside his own half and embarked on a blistering, 70-yard solo run against retreating Portuguese defenders.
As three defenders converged on him near the edge of the penalty box, Son displayed exceptional vision. He slipped a perfectly timed, thread-the-needle pass through a tiny gap to the onrushing Hwang Hee-chan. Hwang kept his composure, staying well onside, and swept a first-time shot past Costa to make it 2-1.
The goal sparked wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands, turning a desperate defensive stand into a historic counter-attack.
The Agonizing Wait on the Pitch
Even after the final whistle blew in Al Rayyan, South Korea's players were not permitted to celebrate fully. Because the Ghana-versus-Uruguay match was played simultaneously, several minutes of stoppage time remained in that fixture.
South Korean players gathered in a tight circle on the turf, staring nervously at smartphones and listening to coaching staff. Uruguay led Ghana 2-0, a scoreline that favored South Korea on goals scored. If Uruguay scored a third goal, South Korea would be eliminated.
When the final whistle finally confirmed Uruguay's inability to score again, the tension broke. Players, coaches, and staff flooded the pitch in celebration, securing South Korea's third-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of South Korea vs Portugal in 2022?
South Korea defeated Portugal 2-1 after scoring a stoppage-time winner in the 91st minute.
Did both teams advance to the knockout stage?
Yes. Portugal advanced as the winner of Group H, while South Korea finished second, edging out Uruguay on total goals scored.
Who scored the winning goal for South Korea?
Hwang Hee-chan scored the winner in the 91st minute, running onto a brilliant counter-attacking assist from captain Son Heung-min.
Why was there an agonizing wait after the match?
South Korean players had to wait several minutes for the simultaneous Ghana vs. Uruguay match to conclude before knowing if their goal difference and goals-scored tally were enough to secure second place. You can read more tournament archives on FIFA and check historical match sheets via Transfermarkt.
