Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
South Korea
Match Time & Date:
02/12/2022
10:00 AM
Prediction: 1-2
Portugal
Education City Stadium will host Friday’s World Cup game between South Korea and Portugal, the two teams who meet for the first time since June 2002. The Koreans did well to hold Uruguay in their opener, but they head into the match following a heart-breaking 3-2 loss to Ghana. Head coach Paulo Bento will have to watch the game from the stands following his sending off in the defeat to the Black Stars, while Wolverhampton attacker Hwang Hee-chan should miss out with injury.
A Selecao, on the other hand, aim to keep their 100% record at the 2022 World Cup finals intact, and even though Fernando Santos should mix the squad against Korea, away win should be considered. Cristiano Ronaldo should be rested, with Milan ace Rafael Leao likely to step up. Gonzalo Ramos and Joao Palhinha are pushing for a start as well.
Highlighted Player (Heung-min Son):
Over the years Son Heung-Min has established himself as one of the best Asian footballers. Son is a Tottenham Hotspur first-team regular and he played a very important role in Mauro Pochettino’s team in the 2017/2018 Premier League campaign, scoring 12 goals, while making 37 appearances in the process.
The South Korean footballer, who is well known for his speed and a very powerful shot, was born in Chuncheo on 8 July 1992 and he began his youth career at FC Seoul. In 2008 he moved to Hamburger SV, but he made his senior debut for the Bundesliga club two years later. In 2013 he signed a deal with fellow German side Bayer Leverkusen and he scored 21 goals in 62 appearances in the Bundesliga for the BayArena outfit.
In 2015 he signed a five-year contract with Spurs for a fee of £22 million. Son Heung-min made his South Korea debut in a friendly against Syria in 2010.
Highlighted Team (Portugal):
Portugal started competing at the biggest stage in the 1930’s, but they had to wait for almost seventy years to establish themselves as a top side. The third place finish at the 1966 World Cup was a one-off result as the Selecao needed another 40 years to get past the group stage, reaching the semi-finals at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Portugal enjoyed more success on the continent, finishing third at the 1984, 2000 and 2012 European Championships, while losing in the final to Greece at the Euro 2004 that was held on home soil. Despite being able to count on one of world’s best ever footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, the Selecao have yet to lift a major trophy and they will not have too many opportunities to do so before the Real Madrid superstar retires.
Eusebio remains the most famous footballer to have played for Portugal, while Luis Figo, Simao Sabrosa, Pedro Pauleta, Rui Costa and Nani are also worth mention. The Selecao currently boast an impressive pool of world-class talent and it should not be long before they end the trophy drought.
Leicester
Chelsea
Arsenal
Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
