It was World Cup ecstasy and agony for Heung-Min Son and Rodrigo Bentancur on another dramatic afternoon in Qatar on Friday.
Sonny shed tears of joy after Korea’s late, late win against Portugal saw them progress to the knockout phase of the tournament for the first time since 2010. Unfortunately, it was despair for Rodrigo, who departed Uruguay’s final match against Ghana through injury on 34 minutes. Uruguay won 2-0, but with the teams level on points and goal difference, Sonny’s Korea finished second in Group H on goals scored.
Once again, skipper Sonny delivered for his country when it mattered most. This time, with the scoreline level at 1-1, and with his side needing a goal, Sonny picked up a clearance from a Uruguay corner fully 90 yards from Portugal’s goal. He sped up the pitch in trademark style and then, confronted by three defenders on the edge of the box, managed to dissect them with the perfect pass for Hwang Hee-Chan to score.
That goal took Korea above Uruguay into second, and Sonny collapsed on the final whistle, overcome with emotion.
However, there were still five minutes left of Uruguay’s match against Ghana, with Uruguay leading 2-0 and needing another goal to leapfrog back into second on goal difference. However, Ghana held firm, including eight minutes of added time, leaving South Korea players and fans in raptures back at Education City Stadium in Doha.
Korea now face a mouth-watering Round of 16 clash against Brazil, the likely winners of Group G, with Sonny facing off against Richarlison on Monday.
(Official page)
