The World Cup group stages conclude today with the final fixtures from Group G and Group H.
Germany crashed out in the groups for the second straight time on Thursday night, despite coming from 2-1 down to defeat Costa Rica 4-2.
It wasn’t enough due to Japan’s dramatic win over Spain in Group E’s other game. Spain led 1-0 at the break and were in total command, only for Japan to score twice in three minutes and hold on for a historic 2-1 victory. It meant Japan topped the group and Spain only edged past Germany on goal difference.
Japan’s second goal was also highly controversial, with a VAR decision adjudging Kaoru Mitoma’s cutback for Ao Tanaka’s tap-in to count, despite it happening after the ball initially appeared to have crossed the bye-line.
In the earlier games, another surprise group winner emerged, as Morocco claimed top spot in Group F with a 2-1 win over Canada. They will be joined in the knockouts by Croatia, who drew 0-0 with Belgium. That resulted condemned the Belgians to a humbling group stage exit, and prompted manager, Roberto Martinez, to quit after failing to guide the nation’s golden generation to any silverware.
Today’s action will see Portugal attempt to secure their place at the top of their group, having already qualified, while South Korea could make it through with a win. Here’s how to watch.
What time is South Korea vs Portugal?
South Korea vs Portugal is being played at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, with kick off at 3pm.
Coverage is on BBC One starting at 2.30pm. Gary Lineker presents, with commentary from Vicki Sparks and Danny Murphy.
The entire 2022 World Cup is being broadcast on free-to-air television in the UK, with the BBC and ITV sharing the rights.
All matches are therefore also available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer or the new ITVX streaming platform.
What should we expect from South Korea vs Portugal?
South Korea are third in Group H with one point, and must beat Portugal to have a chance to progress to the knockout stage for the third time, after 2002 and 2010.
Portugal have already qualified but still need a point to guarantee top spot so might not field a reserve team at the Education City Stadium.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability is still in question after he missed Wednesday’s training and stayed at the gym to do recovery and specific exercises.
South Korea coach, Paulo Bento, a former Portugal international, said on Thursday that his home country have “one of the greatest generations of Portuguese football”.
That was echoed by defender Kim Young-gwon, who told a news conference: “He (Ronaldo) is a world class player, this is a well known fact and they have all these talented players. To contain them we’ll have to play as a team, as one unit.
“We played our first two games with passion and we’re going to have to show that passion again tomorrow. But we’ll also need a bit of luck. If we have all that, we can create a miracle.”
South Korea lost 3-2 to Ghana in their second game after an opening 0-0 draw with Uruguay, and have their backs to the wall.
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“We don’t have anywhere else to go than forward,” said Kim on Thursday.
Bento added that it did not matter whether his Portugal counterpart, Fernando Santos, fielded a first-choice team.
“He can play in different ways, with different formations, he can make three or four changes in his team and they stay at the same level,” said Bento.
“In addition, the context is favourable to them, since they are already qualified and a draw will ensure first place.”
Bento will be suspended for the game after picking up a red card in the Ghana game, but he fully trusts his assistants.
“They make most of the choices, they suggest them to me. It’s not going to be a problem. This time they will be on their own but it won’t change much,” added Bento, who said he will sing the Portuguese anthem from the stands.
Santos said he will take into account which players are tired and also who has already collected a yellow card in his selection, to avoid the threat of suspension. The players who have been booked are Ruben Dias, Ruben Neves, Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes and Danilo.
“We have to use the squad,” Santos said, “and I am confident in it.”
What other games are on TV today?
For the final round of fixtures, games in the same group are played at the same time. This is because playing later could give one team an advantage, as they would know exactly what they would need to do to progress to the knockouts.
The final Group H fixtures will be played at 3pm, with both games on the BBC.
Ghana vs Uruguay comes from Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. Coverage is on BBC Two, starting at 2.45pm. Gabby Logan presents, while commentary comes from Steve Wilson and Dion Dublin.
ITV has coverage of the end of Group G, with the games kicking off at 7pm.
On ITV1, you can watch Cameroon vs Brazil at Lusail Stadium from 6.15pm. Ian Wright, Karen Carney and Joe Cole provide match analysis, with commentary from Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon.
Serbia vs Switzerland at Stadium 974 in Doha is on ITV4, with the programme also starting at 6.15pm. The game will be presented by Mark Pougatch, with commentary by Seb Hutchinson and Andros Townsend.
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