- Giorgian de Arrascaeta strikes again for Uruguay as his side takes a lead by 2-0
- Giorgian de Arrascaeta's receives a rebound and hits a header and Uruguay take 1-0 lead over Ghana
- Ricardo Horta provides Portugal with an early breakthrough as his goal helped his side take 1-0 lead over South Korea
South Korea will be going up against Portugal while Uruguay will be facing Ghana in their last Group H match of the FIFA World Cup 2022, on Friday. The Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal are at the top of the points table and have qualified for the Round of 16 stage. On the other hand, South Korea are in the third position and will be eyeing a win, in order to qualify for the knockouts.
8:30 AM, Portugal aim to stay on top
Portugal on Friday was surprisingly beaten by South Korea 2-1 as the Asian nation pipped Uruguay on goals scored to cement their place in the Round of 16. Ronaldo and co. qualified to the Round of 16 as the topper of Group H.
Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 but fell short by a goal.
South Korea let their emotions pour out when they lost a five-goal thriller to Ghana earlier in the week. But they should not expect any kind of sympathy at Education City Stadium on Friday from Portugal, who are determined to clinch the top spot in the group.
South Korea must beat the Euro 2016 champions — as they did at the 2002 World Cup on home soil — and hope that the result of the other final Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay also goes their way.
South Korea: Kim Seung-gyu, Kim Moon-hwan, Kwon Kyung-won, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Jin-su, Lee Jae-sung, Lee Kang-in, Jeong Woo-yeong, Hwang In-beom, Son Heung-min, Cho Gue-sung.
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Antonio Silva, Joao Cancelo, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves, Vitinha, Joao Mario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Horta.
8:30 PM, ‘El Diablo’? Luis Suarez returns fire
Uruguay’s Luis Suarez refused to apologise to Ghanaians on Thursday for his role 12 years ago in their biggest World Cup setback, arguing it wasn’t his handball that denied Ghana a quarter-final winner but their missed penalty that followed.
A win for Ghana against Uruguay in Friday’s final Group H match could avenge their acrimonious defeat by the South Americans in 2010, when Suarez used his hand to block an extra-time winner for Ghana, who missed the resulting spot-kick and lost the penalty shootout that followed.
Ghana: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Alidu Seidu, Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Baba Rahman, Thomas Partey, Salis Abdul Samed, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams
Uruguay: Sergio Rochet, Sebastian Coates, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Jose Maria Gimenez, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera, Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Pellistri, Federico Valverde, Luis Suarez, Darwin Nunez.
12:30 AM, Only last-16 on Switzerland's minds
Switzerland and Serbia will battle it out on Friday for Group G’s remaining knockout slot, in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup clash that may reignite political tensions between the teams.
Switzerland, on three points, appear well-placed to join Brazil in the last 16. A win at Stadium 974 on Friday would guarantee them a spot, while a draw would also be enough. Unless, Cameroon pull off an upset win over Brazil, which would mean goal difference will be a determining factor.
12:30 AM, Brazil may test bench strength
Still without Neymar and already securely perched in the round of 16, Brazil will use their last group game at the World Cup to give playing time to their reserves and also test their bench strength.
Coach Tite may make changes in quite a few positions for the game against Cameroon at Lusail Stadium on Friday when a draw will be enough to give five-time champions Brazil first place in Group G.
