Korea Republic vs Portugal - European side set to finish perfect first round

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The Selecao make it to this match with most of their duties done and dusted, but they still need to grab a point to lead the group. Let's see what goes down in this fixture.

The last game of the group stage for Korea Republic and Portugal is here, and the Asian side will need to pull off a shocking result against the Portuguese side if they want to reach the next round.

The Taeguk Warriors make it to this clash after drawing their first game against Uruguay (0-0), but their fate got a bit more complicated when they lost to Ghana in a nerve-wracking match. Now, the team coached by Paulo Bento need to win their game and wait for the outcome of the game between Uruguay and Ghana to see if they can opt to win a spot in the next stage.

On the other hand, Portugal have already secured their spot in the next round, but the team will want to reach the KO stage with a perfect record. The team kicked off their run with a 3-2 win against Ghana, and their second match also ended in a win for Fernando Santos' men, this time a two-nil victory over Uruguay that was fueled by Bruno Fernandes' brace. A Selecao has finished the group stage unbeaten in two of their previous World Cup appearances (the last one in 2006), and they will surely want to add a third to their record here.

In short, Korea will enter this game with everything to lose and with Portugal already thinking about the permutation that will help them go as far as possible in the tournament. Let us have a closer look at the main aspects that could shift the tide in favor of each of these teams?

Korea vs Portugal - Team news

The South Korean team will make it to this game with their hopes to make the next round intact, but they will need a stellar performance by their best men to try and seal their ticket to the KO stage. Son Heung-Min will be the team's go-to guy, but striker Cho Gue-Sung will also be a force to be reckoned with and a dangerous player to keep en eye on for the Portuguese team. Coach Paulo Bento (who was sent off after the team's loss to Ghana) will have a full squad to choose from for this crucial tie.

On the other hand, Portugal might be inclined to do some changes despite their need to win at least one point to secure the top spot in the group. Coach Fernando Santos might choose to change some of the players up front, including Cristiano Ronaldo, but even if there are some tactical moves, the team will have to make do without Danilo Pereira and Otavio, who are recovering from their injury problems and could still return for the Selecao in the competition. Meanwhile, defender Nuno Mendes has been ruled out of the tournament due to a muscular injury, and he is set to leave the team's camp in the next couple of days.

Korea vs Portugal - Head-to-head

This will be the second FIFA World Cup game between South Korea and Portugal.
That game ended in a one-nil win for South Korea.
Coach Fernando Santos faced South Korea previously when he worked as Greece's coach. That game concluded in a two-nil win for the Asian side.
Korea's coach Paulo Bento will face a team coached by Fernando Santos for the fourth time in his career. His record so far shows two draws and one loss.
Paulo Bento will face his home country's national team for the first time as coach.