Ghana got their first win of the 2022 World Cup as they survived a Korean comeback and late barrage to come through a tight affair 3-2 victors, and leave them still in with a shout of qualifying for the last 16.
South Korea dominated the early minutes of the encounter, racking up an astonishing seven corners in the opening 20 minutes as Ghana looked all at sea following their massive effort against Portugal.
However, the Black Stars grew into the game, and took the lead midway through the first half when Mohamed Salisu reacted first to a loose ball to prod home from a free kick. 10 minutes later, they doubled their lead against a shellshocked Korean side, this time Mohamed Kudus glancing a Jordan Ayew cross into the far corner and leaving Heung Min-Son and co. with a mountain to climb.
The Asian side made two changes in the opening minutes of the second half, and gave Ghana a warning sign when Cho Gue-sung headed a dangerous cross from the left hand side into the arms of Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
Five minutes later, they repeated the trick, with Cho rising highest to grab one back, before Ghana again switched off and the same route handed Korea an equaliser on the hour mark.
But it didnβt last long. A cutback from the left was missed by Inaki Williams, but Kudus was on hand to steer home his second, and restore the lead of the Black Stars. They survived a late barrage, thanks in part to heroics from Salisu, along with 10 minutes of added time to leave them poised to go through provided that they can get a result against Uruguay in their final game.
π° Table Of Contents
Player ratings
Korea Republic
- GK: Kim Seung-gyu (6) – Conceded three from three shots on target but couldnβt have really prevented any of them.
- RB: Kim Moon-hwan (7)- Got forward well in support of his side and put in several good crosses.
- CB: Kim Young-gwon (5) – Mopped up okay but generally looked off the pace.
- CB: Kim Min-Jae (5) – Didnβt look fully fit and the Napoli man was far from his usual imperious best.
- LB: Kim Jin-Su (6) – Looked solid enough and kept Kudus quiet for the most part while he was stationed with him. Stood up a great cross for South Koreaβs second goal.
- CDM: Jung Woo-Young (6) – Tidy but lacked any real penetrative passing.
- CDM: Hwang In-beom (7) – Solid in midfield for the most part and kept possession well.
- RM: Kwon Chang-Hoon (5) – His side were immediately more dangerous when he went off, and he never got any joy out of the Ghana fullbacks.
- CAM: Jeong Woo-Yeong (4) – Couldnβt get into the game and was taken off after 45 minutes having had just 20 touches.
- LM: Son Heung-min (5) – Another quiet game for the Tottenham man, who saw two shots blocked but couldnβt really make an impact on proceedings.
- ST: Cho Gue-Sung (8) – Won three powerful headers in the box, scoring twice and forcing a good save. Koreaβs biggest threat.
Substitutes
- Na Sang-Ho (6) – Came on at half time but couldnβt have too much of an impact on proceedings.
- Lee Kang In (7) – Made an immediate impact by grabbing an assist and looked bright.
- Hwang Ui Jo (5) – Hardly had a touch when coming on.
- Kwon Kyung-Won – (N/A) – Came on in added time.
Ghana
- GK: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (6) – Will feel like he could have done better for the second goal but was otherwise impressive if theatric.
- RB: Tariq Lamptey (4) – Both goals came down his flank and he really struggled against the Korean attack.
- CB: Daniel Amartey (6) – Relatively untroubled in the first half. Struggled a little more in the second as Korea dominated.
- CB: Mohamed Salisu (8) – Took his goal well but was caught out for the Korea goals. Redeemed himself with a goalline clearance and was excellent against Koreaβs late barrage.
- LB: Gideon Mensah (7) – Kept Korea very quiet down the right-hand side.
- CM: Thomas Partey (5) – Misplaced several of his passes and was far from his Arsenal best.
- CM: Salis Abdul Samed (7) – Quietly effective in the Black Stars engine room.
- RM: Mohammed Kudus (8) – Took his goals well, and was in the right place at the right time, but looked wasted on the right flank. By far Ghanaβs brightest talent.
- CAM: Andre Ayew (6) – Brings experience but little more to this Ghana side.
- LM: Jordan Ayew (7) – Never threatened the goal but came up with two great crosses to put Ghana two goals up and worked hard in defence.
- ST: Inaki Williams (5) – Grabbed an assist with a miscontrol that just about summed up his game. Quiet except for one powerful run in the second half but can never be accused of laziness.
Substitutes
- Kamaldeen Sulemana (5) – Didnβt really have a chance to show his qualities.
- Denis Odoi (5) – Struggled just as much as Lamptey with South Koreaβs left flank when coming on.
- Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (6)
- Alexander Dikju (5) – Came on to hold onto the win and helped do just that.
- Abdul Baba Rahman (N/A) – On for the final five minutes.
Key Stats
Most clearances made in a single 2022 World Cup game:
β 46 – Ghana vs. π°π·
β 38 – Japan vs. π©πͺMost headed clearances made in a single 2022 World Cup game:
β 29 – Ghana vs. π°π·
β 19 – Japan vs. π©πͺ, Australia vs. πΉπ³Just look at their heat map. π@midnite | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/SEB8Bhy5b3
β Squawka (@Squawka) November 28, 2022
π | FOCUS
Gue-sung Cho v Ghana:
π 34 touches
β½οΈ 2 goals
π― 6 shots/4 on target (1.04 total xG)
π 11/17 accurate passes
ποΈ 6/12 aerial duels won
π€ 3 fouls suffered
π 8.4 Sofascore ratingOur highest-rated player of the match! π«#KORGHA #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/SAtr0XVhSP
β Sofascore (@SofascoreINT) November 28, 2022
Mohammed Kudus 22/23:
βοΈ6 games, 4 goals & 2 assists in the UEFA Champions League
βοΈ2 games, 2 goals & 1 assist at the World Cup so far
He loves the big stage! π¬π pic.twitter.com/llBaFddhKo
β Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) November 28, 2022
Expert analysis
It’s taken two years but Mohammed Kudus has FINALLY made himself a starter for club and country.
Been saying it for a while his dribbling and physical attributes are immense. Adding quality finishing? Yes please π¬πβ pic.twitter.com/ALkUCdKdUC
β πΌπβπ (@EuroExpert_) November 28, 2022
Dos for Kudus. Dios mio.
β Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 28, 2022
Fan Reaction
Lampard eye for talent is actually fantastic. Tried to sign Kudus and Mudryk for Everton this summer
β Renato (@rehnato) November 28, 2022
Today has been proper World cup football heritage
β Bhavs (@bhavss14) November 28, 2022
28′ | π¨π² 1-0 π·πΈ
45′ | π¨π² 1-1 π·πΈ
48′ | π¨π² 1-2 π·πΈ
53′ | π¨π² 1-3 π·πΈ
63′ | π¨π² 2-3 π·πΈ
65′ | π¨π² 3-3 π·πΈ24′ | π°π· 0-1 π¬π
34′ | π°π· 0-2 π¬π
58′ | π°π· 1-2 π¬π
61′ | π°π· 2-2 π¬πThe World Cup today man. π€―π€―π€―#FIFAWorldCup
β Football Tweet β½ξ¨ (@Football__Tweet) November 28, 2022
Ajax watching this World Cup pic.twitter.com/dwzBwwluiH
β Adam Rae Voge (@adamvoge) November 28, 2022
Crystal Palace and Brighton fans supporting Jordan Ayew and Tariq Lampteyβs Ghana at this World Cup pic.twitter.com/piykC3Ed1r
β amar singh (@amarjourno) November 28, 2022
