Korea Republic 2-1 Portugal: Hwang scores the added-time winner to send Son and co. through

Hwang Hee-chan scored a winner against Portugal to help Korea Republic through to the knockout stages of the World Cup, except for a stoppage-time goal in the match. Uruguay against Ghana…

South Korea looked to be heading home from Qatar before Son Heung-min broke free after a Portugal corner and played a perfect pass for Hwang to head home in the 91st minute.

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After Uruguay's 2-0 win over Ghana, South Korea join the Portuguese - who had already booked their place in the last 16 after winning their opening two matches - in the next round after scoring more goals than the South Americans.

South Korea, whose coach Paulo Bento watched from the stands after his anger at England referee Anthony Taylor in their loss to Ghana, knew only a win would do.

But Bento's men faced a mountain to climb when Portugal took the lead with just four minutes and 52 seconds on the clock.

Pepe's long ball over the top was expertly controlled by Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot, who boarded it for Ricardo Horta to fire from close range.

Portugal wanted to become the first team to win all three group matches in this tournament, but following their first goal, they were guilty of taking their foot off the accelerator.

After 17 minutes South Korea had the ball in Portugal's net - only for Kim Jin-su's rebound to be ruled out for offside - but 10 minutes later they were level.

Cristiano Ronaldo turned his back on a South Korean corner. The ball hit the Portuguese skipper on the shoulder and fell into the path of Kim Young-gwon, who struck home.

In response, the impressive Dalot tested goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu from long range, while at the other end, Son's effort went straight down Diogo Costa's throat.

Just before half-time, Kim was called into action again as he fended off Vitinha's bubbly effort. Ronaldo - one goal away from matching Eusebio's nine World Cup goals for Portugal - failed to convert the follow-up header.

It would prove to be Ronaldo's last major contribution of the night after his hour-mark withdrawal, with Portugal boss Fernando Santos keeping tabs on the knockout stages.

With Uruguay up two goals against Ghana in the other Group H match, South Korea's chances of avoiding a third straight group stage exit remained intact.

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Son's deflected shot was comfortable for Costa before the Portugal striker fended off Hwang In-beom's blast from 20 yards.

As the second half wore on, a jaded South Korea ran out of ideas and ran out of steam with Portugal on course to see the contest.

But Min's brilliant run, Chan's fine finish and Uruguay's failure to score a third goal sees South Korea progress in their most explosive fashion.

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