Diogo Dalot played the full 90 minutes during Portugal’s shock 2-1 defeat to South Korea, which saw the Asian side qualify for the Round of 16 at the expense of Facundo Pellistri’s Uruguay.
This was Dalot’s first World Cup experience and he registered an assist within the opening five minutes as set up Ricardo Horta to put Portugal one nil up, but Dalot and his Portugal team-mates could not kick on as they lost 2-1 to the 28th ranked nation according to the FIFA rankings [statista.com].
Diogo Dalot’s first half by numbers vs. South Korea:
88% pass accuracy
43 touches
3/4 ground duels won
3 long balls completed
2 tackles won
2/2 crosses completed
2 key pass
1 big chance created
1 assistCreator. 💫 pic.twitter.com/CLULvMm0SX
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 2, 2022
Bruno Fernandes was an unused substitute and this game further emphasised his importance to Fernando Santos’ side. However, it is a positive from Portugal’s point of view that Fernandes was rested for this match because it means that he will be fresh and raring to go for Portugal’s Round of 16 clash, which will be against Switzerland on Tuesday evening at 7pm UK time.
However, there was disappointment for Facundo Pellistri and his Uruguayan team-mates as they crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages, even though they beat Ghana 2-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium. Diego Alonso’s side were knocked out in dramatic circumstances because a goal in the 91st minute by Hwang Hee-chan broke Uruguay’s hearts and sent South Korea into the knockout stages, where they will face Brazil on Monday evening.
Son heungmin assist and hwang heechan goal#kor #por https://t.co/318QO3psgd
— Q 🍉 (@cherryshoko0125) December 2, 2022
The final two games of the exciting group stages came to an end when the games in Group G were finished, which saw Brazil top the group and Switzerland clinch the runners-up spot.
Even though Cameroon won 1-0 thanks to a stoppage time goal from Aboubakar, it was not enough for the African side as Switzerland’s 3-2 win over Serbia meant that Cameroon could not eclipse the six points that the Swiss achieved.
VINCENT ABOUBAKAR IS THE FIRST PLAYER TO SCORE AGAINST BRAZIL AT THE WORLD CUP 😤 pic.twitter.com/fNKKSZEjOf
— GOAL (@goal) December 2, 2022
Three United players started for Brazil as coach Tite named a much-changed line up, with Antony, Fred and Alex Telles all starting the game but they were substituted in the second half. Nevertheless, Brazil still topped their group and they will now face South Korea on Monday at Stadium 974 in Doha.