Ghana survived the World Cup by beating South Korea 3-2 in a thrilling match. This is like a repeat of the Serbia-Cameroon match. Ghana was smelling victory by scoring 2 goals in the first half. South Korea came back to the game with 2 goals in 3 minutes in the second half. But the end of the drama is not here, Mohamed Qudus appeared in the scene. The 22-year-old Ajax star stole the limelight with a personal second goal. The Black Stars won the last 16 with a 3-2 win.
Ghana cruised to a thrilling 3-2 victory in the second match of the day at the Education City Stadium in Qatar on Monday (November 28). Mohamed Qudus scored two goals for the team. Mohamed Salisu scored the remaining goal. Cho Gwe-sang scored twice for South Korea.
In their first match in Group H, Ghana put up a good fight against Portugal but lost 3-2. The Black Stars played great football in the second match as well. The tigers of Asia did not leave. In the second half, they played great football and regained parity. However, the difference was made by the second goal of Mohamed Qudus.
It was South Korea who played an attacking game from the start. But Ghana scored against the game. Ghana went ahead with Mohamed Salisu’s goal in the 24th minute. From the free-kick, Jordan Ayew delivered a great cross into the Korean box. Salisu quickly reached for the ball and wrapped it in the net. This is Ghana’s first goal from a dead ball in the World Cup without a penalty.
Read More: World Cup Favorites Belgium Lost to Morocco 2-0
The difference was doubled in 34 minutes by young Mohamed Kudus, who spread light in the event. Another goal is Jordan Ayew’s cross. Kudus, who plays for Dutch club Ajax, headed his dangerous cross into the D-box. Ghana became the first African team to score two or more goals in the first half since Algeria at the 2014 World Cup. Algeria scored 3 goals in the first half against South Korea in Brazil.
As the only team in the tournament, the Korean forwards could not have a single shot on goal until the first half of this match. But the drought broke in the second half. One attack after another distracted the Ghanaian defense.
Korea reduced the gap by 58 minutes. Cang Lee dropped a great cross into the Ghanaian D-box. Cho Gwe-sang scored a great goal with a diving header. This number nine of South Korea equalized the match 3 minutes later. Kim Jin Sue’s measured cross was beaten by Gwe-Sang’s Ghanaian Mensah with a superb header. The match is tied, and the game freezes.
Mohamed Kudus put Ghana ahead again in the 68th minute. Inaki Williams could not get a proper foot on Mensah’s cross. This Ajax forward got the ball. He did not make a mistake in putting the ball in the net.
Korea became desperate to repay the goal. A wave of attacks was unleashed on Ghana’s defense. In the 74th minute, Kang Lee’s great free-kick was punched out by Ghanaian goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi. The Korean player took a shot from the corner. That shot was blocked by a Ghanaian defender.
Read More: Portugal started the World Cup by defeating Ghana 3-2
In the last 15 minutes, Korea’s attempts were blocked by Ghana’s defense. Another play occurred in added time. Korea was busy attacking one after the other and got a corner at the very last minute of added time, but the referee blew the long whistle. Korea coach Paulo Bento saw the red card protesting the matter. He also criticized the refereeing in a brief interview with the broadcaster after the match. However, despite playing brilliantly in this loss, he did not forget to admit the mistakes of the Korean defense.