Korea Republic v Portugal, 02 December 2022

Kick-off: 6.00pm local (3.00pm GMT) . FIFA world ranking: Korea Republic 28, Portugal 9 . Portugal had already secured their place in the Round of 16 prior to this final group game. . Korea Republic had to win and, due to Uruguay’s 2-0 win against Ghana, finished ahead of the Uruguayans on goals scored (four to two) as they were level on points and goal difference. . Korea Republic had failed to progress beyond the group stage in eight of their ten previous participations at the World Cup finals so had now advanced for a third time; previously 2002 and 2010. . Korea Republic had lost five of their preceding seven games at the World Cup finals (won one). . Korea Republic had now won six of their 24 games at World Cup finals against European opposition (lost 12). Portugal became the first UEFA member nation that they had beaten twice at the tournaments. . Korea Republic won their third group game at a World Cup tournament for a third time; previously against Portugal in 2002 and Germany in 2018. . Portugal failed in their attempt to win their three group games at the World Cup finals for a third time; previously in 1966 and 2006 when they went on to reach the Semi-finals on both occasions. . This was the first time that Portugal had lost a game at the World Cup finals when they had scored the opening goal (played 19, won 15). . Portugal had now scored in their last nine games at the World Cup finals; their longest-ever such run. . Having scored a penalty in each of their first two games, Portugal could have become the first team to score a penalty in each of their three group games at the World Cup finals. . Portugal had lost one of their five previous meetings with Asian nations at the World Cup finals; versus Korea Republic in 2002 (won three). . Current Korea Republic Paulo Bento – who was serving a one match touchline ban during this game - played for Portugal in the only previous meeting. In their home tournament at the World Cup finals in 2002, Korea won the group game at Incheon 1-0 with a goal from PARK Ji-sung. .