Ghana rally to come out on top in captivating World Cup clash against South Korea

11/28/2022

Kim Jun-su went on to exert an influence in attack and, before Cho almost completed his hat-trick, the left-back had a shot cleared off the line by Salisu as South Korea sought to make it 3-3. A game that began with little drama on the pitch ended with a surfeit. Ghana had barely threatened before Salisu hooked in a shot after Jordan Ayew’s free-kick was met by Kim Min-jae, but his attempted clearance was deflected by Andre Ayew to the scorer. There was a lengthy VAR check to establish if it hit the Ghana captain’s hand; Addo’s side felt aggrieved by the officiating against Portugal, but this time they could have no complaints.

It was belated justice for Salisu, perhaps: Ghana were adamant he did not foul Cristiano Ronaldo when conceding a penalty in their opener and he scored in the second game. The Southampton defender’s international career is barely two months old but it has been eventful. Jordan Ayew’s delivery from the left flank was integral again when Ghana doubled their lead. He curled in the most enticing of crosses. It might have sneaked in anyway, but Kudus applied a fine touch to a glancing header. Slight as the connection was, he was a worthy scorer.

Mohammed Kudus scored twice and his second of the afternoon won the match for Ghana

Ghana had shown their ability to engineer a comeback against Portugal. They could not prevent South Korea from doing likewise against them as Bento reaped an immediate reward for introducing Lee Kang-in. After Tariq Lamptey lost the ball, the substitute crossed and Cho stooped to head in. A couple of minutes later, there was an action replay of sorts, with Ghana again opened up on their left flank, Kim Jin-su crossing and Cho rising highest at the far post. It amounted to a chastening few minutes for Lamptey, with Ghana beaten twice out wide, but neither was the first illustration of the striker’s aerial menace: a few minutes before his first goal, keeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi had parried his close-range header.

Yet his defiance was in vain. Kudus is showing an ability to stamp his authority on ever bigger occasions and he provided a cool finish to decide a heated occasion. At 22, he ranks behind only Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew for World Cup goals for the Black Stars. There may yet be a few more to come.

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