Dalot makes a dramatic World Cup debut

Friday 02 December 2022 21:33

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot registered his first World Cup appearance on Friday evening and ended up on the wrong end of yet another surprise result in Qatar.

There were incredible scenes at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan as South Korea came from behind to win 2-1 against Portugal, for whom Dalot played the full 90 minutes. His fellow Red, Bruno Fernandes, was rested as an unused substitute.

The shock outcome means the Koreans defied the odds to go through as Group H runners-up after pipping Facundo Pellistri's Uruguay on goals scored.

Dalot battles with Hee-chan Hwang, the scorer of South Korea's eventual winner.
The score was locked at 1-1 from just before the half-hour mark until the first minute of second-half injury time, when Spurs forward Son Heung-Min launched one of his trademark counter attacks into the opposition half and slotted a perfect pass through for Hwang Hee-chan to steer in the winner.

Much earlier in the game, Dalot made a brilliant start to his tournament debut when he pulled the ball back brilliantly from the byline to create Ricardo Horta's clinical opener.

South Korea levelled in the 27th minute when Portugal failed to clear a left-wing corner and Kim Young-Gwon drilled home from inside the six-yard box.
Dalot almost repeated his assist very late in the second half when it was still 1-1 but this time his low cross from the right couldn't find the contact it deserved from a Selecao team-mate.

Despite the defeat, Portugal still go through as Group H winners and will next face Switzerland, who finished as runners-up behind Brazil after beating Serbia 3-2 in their thrilling final Group G game.

The last-16 tie for Fernandes, Dalot and co will be played at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday, 6 December. 

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