Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo gifts South Korea goal with error

World Cup 2022 briefing: Day 13

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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was not happy as his defensive error saw South Korea capitalise and equalise in the first half, following Ricardo Horta’s opening strike. The former Manchester United man ducked out of a header as Kim Young-gwon tapped home in their final group stage game of the World Cup.

A corner was swung into the box but as Ronaldo attempted to avoid heading the ball, the cross struck him on the back and bounced into the path of the Ulsan Hyundai man to equalise in the 26th minute.

Horta gave the Portuguese their lead in the fifth minute when Diogo Dalot launched onto a long ball and the right-back burst into the box before teeing up the Benfica man to score his second goal for his country.

Portugal are unlikely to face elimination in the group stage even if they suffer defeat on Friday, after victories in their opening two games against Uruguay and Ghana, with South Korea fighting to be the Group H runners-up to Ronaldo and co.

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BBC pundit Alan Shearer joked that Ronaldo would claim the assist for South Korea’s goal after his attempts to have Bruno Fernandes’ first goal against Uruguay given to him despite FIFA technology confirming that the striker did not get a touch on the cross.

“They had a warning when a cross came in which resulted in the offside goal,” Shearer said. “It bounces off Ronaldo and it’s quite fortunate and he doesn’t expect the ball to fall into the path of the South Korea player. Assist? Yeah he will take that.”

Ronaldo’s future employers will hope that he won’t bring similar defensive qualities when he returns to club football. After his contract at United was terminated following his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo has been linked with a move to the Middle East with Saudi Arabian giant Al Nassr.

Rio Ferdinand insisted that Ronaldo is solely focused on the World Cup with Portugal for the time being, however. “He is super focused now, talking to him on the phone he is very short and sharp and very switched on,” Ferdinand told the BBC. “You can sense there is a focus.

“He is obviously a fabulous player and his passion for his team is phenomenal. You look at the game today and he could have been one of the players to rest but I am sure he is in the changing room telling the manager that he wants to play.”

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