FIFA World Cup, Ghana overpower South Korea 3-2: Key stats
What's the story
Ghana overcame South Korea 3-2 in an enthralling Group H encounter of the FIFA World Cup. South Korea started well but it was Ghana who opened the account first. The Black Stars grew with each passing second, with Mohammed Kudus doubling the lead before half-time. Cho Gue-Sung struck twice to level the terms but Kudus' low finish got Ghana over the line. Here's more.
Duo
Gue-Song, Kudus script these numbers
As per Squawka, Gue-Sung (2) has scored more headed goals than any other player at the 2022 WC. Notably, he scored them both within three minutes against Ghana. He also became the first man to score a World Cup brace for South Korea. Meanwhile, Kudus became the first player to complete a WC brace for Ghana. He now has seven goals in international football.
Stats
Key stats from the match
As per Opta, Mohammed Salisu has become the first defender to score for Ghana in the World Cup. Kudus (22y 118d) is now the second youngest African player to score two goals in a WC match, after Ahmed Musa (21y 254d) for Nigeria (vs Argentina, 2014). As per Opta, Gue-Song is the first Asian player to score two headers in a World Cup game.
Standings
A look at key stats and standings
South Korea dominated for longer stretches, notching 22 shots with seven on target. They also enjoyed 63% possession. Ghana had 37% possession, with seven attempts and three on target. South Korea (87%) were more accurate with their passes than Ghana (79%). Portugal (W1) and Ghana (W1 L1) occupy the top two spots in Group H. Uruguay (D1) and South Korea (D1 L1) trail them.
Records
Contrasting records for Ghana, South Korea
As per Opta, Ghana are the first nation to record successive 3-2 results at the World Cup (for or against) since Uruguay in 2010. They are the fourth side overall to do so (also Germany in 1994 and Switzerland in 1934). Korea Republic have won just one of their last 11 matches in the competition (D3 L7).
Match
How did the match pan out?
Salisu fired a loose ball to put Ghana in the lead. Kudus' header doubled the lead soon. South Korea showed great intensity post-half-time, with Gue-Sung nodding successive headers to put both teams on level. Ghana slid in third and while South Korea pressed for an equalizer even in the dying stages, the Black Stars held their nerves to prevail in the duel.