World Cup 2022 | Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus scores twice in pulsating encounter

Match report as Ghana register their first win of the tournament, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages alive with a 3-2 victory in a thriller against South Korea in Group H

South Korea had all the early pressure, forcing seven corners in the first 20 minutes, but it was Mohammed Salisu who gave Ghana the lead against the run of play after a goalmouth scramble (24). Mohammed Kudus struck twice in a pulsating game as Ghana beat South Korea 3-2 to register their first win in World Cup Group H.

Kudus doubled the advantage (34) with a precision glancing header after a beautifully delivered Jordan Ayew cross from the left-hand side. Cho Gue Song scored two quick-fire headers to bring South Korea back on level terms around the hour-mark, before Kudus added his second of the game in the 68th minute with a well-taken finish to make it 3-2.

Salisu was forced to clear off the line late on to ensure Ghana came away from the Education City Stadium with all three points, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages well and truly alive. As for South Korea, who saw boss Paulo Bento sent off at full time for protesting to English referee Anthony Taylor, they now need to beat Portugal in their final game on Friday and hope Uruguay also overcome Ghana in a repeat of their controversial quarter-final clash at the 2010 World Cup.

How Ghana edged South Korea in thriller at the Education City Stadium

Ghana saw off early South Korean pressure to go 2-0 ahead as centre-back Salisu’s scrambled goal in the 24th minute was followed 10 minutes later by a glancing header from Kudus.

Both were at the end of superb deliveries from Jordan Ayew, restored to the starting lineup as Ghana fielded a much more offensive side than against Portugal.

Ayew’s perfectly weighted free-kick caused confusion in the South Korean defence and Salisu turned sharply to snap up the opener as the ball bobbled around. There was a lengthy wait for VAR to check the validity of the goal before Premier League referee Anthony Taylor confirmed it.

Ayew again provided a wicked delivery, with the right height and pace, for Kudus to apply a glancing touch with his head and double the Black Stars’ lead.

Early second-half changes breathed new life into South Korea’s attack and Lee Kang-In had barely been on the field for a minute when he helped dispossess Tariq Lamptey and fired in a cross that Cho attacked with pace, leaving Salisu watching as he got in front of his marker to power home a 58th-minute header.

The 24-year-old centre forward was even more determined as a chip from Kim Jin-Su caught the out-of-position goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi scrambling and Cho climbed above the centre backs to score a dramatic equaliser, right in front of a bank of screaming South Korean supporters.

Ghana, who would have been eliminated from the World Cup had they lost, looked vulnerable, but were handed a surprise lifeline by sloppy South Korean defending in the 68th minute.

Gideon Mensah was allowed to get a cross in from the left, which Inaki Williams missed, but the ball fell for Kufus to tuck home with his left foot all while the South Korean backline failed to attack the ball.

The fortuitous turn for the Black Stars was followed by Ati-Zigi making a fine save from Lee’s free-kick and watching as the ball was cleared off the line from Kim Jin-Su’s scuffed shot.

Ghana continued to live dangerously through 10 minutes of added time as Korea besieged their goal, but were unable to equalise, with South Korea manager Bento shown a straight red at full time after Taylor blew up before his side could take a last-gasp corner with no more time left on the clock.

And that means Bento will now be absent from the touchline for his side’s must-win game against his native country on Friday.

Courtesy Sky