Uruguay and South Korea started the World Cup in Qatar with a 0-0 draw. Although the match was very entertaining at times, both countries failed to find the net. Diego Godín was close just before half-time with a header on the post, while Federico Valverde also hit the woodwork from a distance. The other teams in Group H, Portugal and Ghana, will compete against each other at 5 p.m.
Former AZ goalkeeper Sergio Rochet was under the crossbar at Uruguay. Furthermore, national coach Diego Alonso chose various experienced veterans such as Martín Cáceres, Godín and Luis Suárez. With José Giménez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Valverde and Darwin Núñez, however, there were also enough big names from today’s European top at the kick-off. On the side of South Korea, Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur) and Kim Min-jae (Napoli) were the most famous assets of the Portuguese national coach Paulo Bento.
The initiative was in the early stages for the South Koreans, but Rochet was not really tested. The 29-year-old goalkeeper keeps Uruguay 133-time international Fernando Muslera out of the base. The South Americans’ first danger came from Real Madrid midfielder Valverde, but his left-footed shot went over goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu’s goal. Chances for Liverpool striker Núñez also failed to score the opening goal, after which Hwang Ui-jo shot just over on behalf of South Korea after a nice attack.
Just before half-time it was Godin who headed from a corner kick on the post, so that the glasses position was still on the board during half-time. After the break, the Uruguayans were mainly dangerous via counters. However, Núñez did not receive a cross from Suárez, who was replaced moments later by Edinson Cavani. With the Valencia striker in the team, Uruguay pressed a lot more for the South Korean goal. In the closing stages, a devastating shot from Valverde hit the post, meaning that both teams start the group stage of the World Cup with just one point.