Matchday 13 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a thrilling one, with every game hotly contested.
Match 46
Korea Republic v Portugal
Korea Republic secured their place in the last 16 with a dramatic last-gasp victory over Portugal in their final group match.
However, the AFC side started on the back foot against the Group H front-runners, with attacker Ricardo Horta taking just five minutes to open the scoring after a surging run down the wing from Diogo Dalot, who set-up the opportunity with a cross for Horta to net from close range.
Despite Portugal dominating in possession, the Koreans were well attuned to matching them with attacking opportunities and they got their reward midway through the first half, with Kim Young-Gwon bundling the ball in the back of the net off a deflected cross into the penalty area.
With Uruguay maintaining their 2-0 lead against Ghana in the other group match, the Koreans looked headed for a stalemate which would eliminate them from the tournament, before Son Heung-Min managed to hold off three Portuguese defenders in the 91st minute and thread the ball through to substitute Hee-Chan Hwang, who slotted past Diogo Costa to snatch the victory and second place in the group from Uruguay.
The result would set up respective round of 16 meetings between Portugal and Switzerland, and Korea Republic and Brazil.
Match 45
Ghana v Uruguay
A brace from Giorgian de Arrascaeta led Uruguay to a 2-0 win over Ghana on Saturday morning (AEDT), but it wasn’t enough for them to progress to the Round of 16 after Korea Republic’s late winner against Portugal.
Providing Portugal won or there was a draw, Uruguay went into the grudge match with old foes Ghana just needing to win to progress, and were off to a great start when de Arrascaeta headed in the rebound from a Luis Suarez shot in the 26th minute.
Just six minutes later, a beautiful team move from Uruguay finished with a low driven volley from de Arrascaeta and Uruguay had doubled their lead and looked to be heading for a big win.
With Portugal and Korea Republic locked at 1-1 deep into the second half, Uruguay began to substitute their attacking players until news of Hwang Hee-chan’s injury time strike seeped into the stadium and the South American outfit had to go for broke in search of another goal.
It made for a frenetic finale to the game, Ghana keeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi making some amazing saves to deny Uruguay and the match ended with both teams eliminated, Uruguay finishing third and Ghana fourth in Group H.
Match 47
Serbia v Switzerland
Switzerland booked their place in the Round of 16 after defeating Serbia 3-2 in Ras Abu Aboud.
Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring midway through the first half and that seemed to set the tone for an eventful finale to Group G.
Aleksandar Mitrovic would quickly equalise for Serbia, before Dusan Vlahovic tipped the balance in their favour 10 minutes out from the interval.
Embolo ensured that joy would be short-lived, however, with a close finish from Silvan Widmer’s cross, and Remo Freuler completed Switzerland’s comeback in the second half.
Match 48
Cameroon v Brazil
Cameroon became the first African nation to beat Brazil at a FIFA World Cup with a consolation 1-0 victory to close out their Qatar 2022 campaign.
In a match short of highlights, Group G leaders Brazil took the opportunity to rest a number of key players ahead of the all-important knock-out stages, including Richarlison, Vinicious Jr and Thiago Silva as the match had little ramifications upon their entry into the last 16.
Although the world's first ranked side dominated with 65 per cent possession and out-shooting their African opponents 21 to seven, they failed to create many meaningful opportunities which ultimately paved the way for Vincent Aboubakar to snatch it at the death for Cameroon - the striker rather humorously receiving a second yellow for his shirtless celebration.
The result had no impact on the group standings, however, as Brazil remained top on goal difference and the CAF affiliates were sent home with a respectable four points.
