Qatar 2022: Ghana’s breathtaking victory, Kudus knocks out Korea

Black Stars fold 3-2 over Asians and get back on track for qualification to the World Cup round of 16

Ghana beat South Korea 3-2 at the end of a thrilling match played at Education City Stadium and valid for the second day of Group H of the World Cup. Thanks to this result, the Africans are fully back in the running for the round of 16 by temporarily moving up to three points with Portugal, soon to play Uruguay, while Korea remains stuck at one.

In the first half South Korea was more maneuverable, but Ghana was definitely more effective. While Paulo Bento’s lineup blunders the last few passes and is not very concrete under goal, the Black Stars show great cynicism by scoring two goals in the only two chances created: in the 24th minute Salisu’s left-footed shot solves a scrum in the Korean penalty area, and in the 34th minute Kudus doubles by deflecting Jordan Ayew’s cross with his head.

In the second half, Korea surged ahead: Cho’s flash double balanced the result. The Sangmu striker found 2-1 in the 58th minute with a header off Lee’s cross, he repeated three minutes later again on a header, this time off Kim Jin Su’s cross. South Korea on the wings of enthusiasm attacked in search of the hat trick but was resoundingly pierced by Ghana, which found 3-2 again with Kudus, left on Mensah’s cross.

Highly tense final, Korea implements a desperate forcing, Salisu saves the result by repelling a Kim Jin-Su shot on the line, the South Koreans repeatedly come close to 3-3 but lack precision and are forced to surrender.