South Korea will look to cause another World Cup upset against Portugal as they set their sights on the knockout stages. Things have gone reasonably well for Portugal, who have won their last two games, and they will be confident in their chances against a South Korean team that has battled this winter on both sides of the field. To have any chance of qualifying, South Korea must win this match, but they also need Ghana to lose ground in the standings. Goals must flow for them to avoid getting into a goal-difference matchup with either Ghana or Uruguay.
South Korea team news
Paulo Bento, the manager, and former Portugal international player will be the primary absence for South Korea because he was dismissed following the final whistle against Ghana for objecting to referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to blow the whistle.
Portugal team news
Portugal can afford to take it easy now that the hard work has been done and rest some of their key starters, knowing that the backup squad should still be capable of performing well in this situation. Nuno Mendes’ injury as a left-back, which he sustained during the first half of the match against Uruguay, is the primary injury concern. He cried as he limped away, and even if he recovers in time miraculously, it’s unlikely that he will be risked.
South Korea vs Portugal World Cup score prediction
After playing the first 135 minutes of the tournament without managing a shot on target, South Korea has to win but also needs to score a lot of goals to improve their goal differential. They had to go for it, even though doing so would make them vulnerable from behind. Son Heung-min and company can be problematic—just ask Ghana—but defeating Portugal is a very different matter, and even a subpar Portugal team will be confident going into this match.
Prediction: South Korea 0-3 Portugal
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