Portugal are already through to the next round of the World Cup and need just a point against South Korea to guarantee they finish top of Group H.
With two wins from two, things have gone pretty well for Portugal and they’ll fancy their chances against a South Korea side who have struggled at both ends of the field this winter.
South Korea need a win here to have any hopes of qualifying, but they also need Ghana to drop points. They could find themselves in a goal difference battle against either Ghana or Uruguay, so the goals need to flow.
Here’s all you need to know about this game.
South Korea vs Portugal H2H Results (All Time)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
South Korea team news
The main absentee for South Korea will be manager and former Portugal international player Paulo Bento, who was sent off after the final whistle against Ghana for protesting referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to blow the whistle.
South Korea Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Kim S-G; Kim M-H, Kim M-J, Kim Y-G, Kim J-S; Hwang I-B, Jung; Lee K-I, Na, Son H-M; Cho G-S
Bench: Jo, Song B-K, Cho Y-M, Kwon K-W, Hong, Yoon, Kim T-H, Son J-H, Paik, Lee J-S, Kwon C-H, Jeong, Song M-K, Hwang U-J, Hwang H-C
Portugal team news
With the hard work done, Portugal can afford to ease up a bit and rest a number of their key starters, safe in the knowledge that the backup brigade should still be good enough to get the job done here.
The main injury concern is at left-back, where Nuno Mendes picked up a problem in the first half against Uruguay. He was in tears as he limped off, and even if he miraculously recovers in time, he’s unlikely to be risked anyway.
Danilo Pereira and Otavio are both unavailable.
Portugal Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Sa; Dalot, Silva, Dias, Guerreiro; Palhinha, Carvalho; Silva, Felix, Leao; Ronaldo
Bench: Patricio, Costa, Pepe, Cancelo, Neves, Nunes, Vitinha, Mario, Fernandes, Horta, Ramos, Silva
South Korea need a win but also need to score plenty of goals to boost their goal difference, which isn’t a task they look up to meeting after they played the first 135 minutes of the tournament without managing a shot on target. They have to go for it, which could leave them vulnerable at the back.
Son Heung-min and co. can cause problems – just ask Ghana – but finding a way through against Portugal is an entirely different issue and even a second-string Portugal side will be full of confidence heading into this one.
Even if Portugal take their foot off the pedal somewhat, they should still stroll to a win…
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