The national soccer team on Dec. 2 takes a commemorative photo after its 2-1 victory over Portugal in their final Group H game of the FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, earning Korea a berth in the tournament's round of 16.

By Park Hye Ri
Photos = Yonhap News

The national soccer team has pulled off the "miracle of Doha" by upsetting global power Portugal to reach the round of 16 at this year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Taegeuk Warriors on Dec. 2 won 2-1 in the third and final Group H game for both teams at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Korea finished second in the group with four points through a win, draw and loss and advanced to the World Cup's knockout round for the first time since the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Korea plays Group G winner Brazil on Dec. 6 at 4 a.m. Korean Standard Time at Stadium 974 in the Qatari capital.

Portuguese right winger Ricardo Horta opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the first half. In the 27th minute, however, midfielder Lee Kang-in's (Mallorca) left-footed corner kick saw the ball hit Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo's head and right to defender Kim Young-gwon (Hyundai Ulsan), who calmly tied the score with a left-footed shot.

The score remained 1-1 before Korea scored the winner in the 46th minute of the second half.

Star striker Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) took the ball after a Portugal corner kick and dribbled about 70 m before reaching the penalty box. After five Portuguese players surrounded him, he passed the ball to striker Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton).

Hwang had a one-on-one situation with the goalie and scored on a right-footed shot. Hwang had sat out the team's first two games due to an injury before being inserted in the 21st minute of the second half.

Striker Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) on Dec. 2 handles the ball in Korea's third and final Group H game of the FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

In a news conference after the win, Hwang said, "Before the game, Heung-min told me that I'd make one today and my teammates also had a lot of faith in me," adding, "I was sure Heung-min was going to feed me the ball when he dribbled. I got a great pass that allowed me to make a good finish."

President Yoon Suk Yeol sent a message congratulating the team for its come-from-behind win and second-round advance and added words of encouragement.

On his Facebook page on Dec. 3., the chief executive wrote, "Congratulations to the Republic of Korea's national soccer team's advance to the round of 16," adding, "Through their fighting spirit and passion, the players, coach and assistant coaches greatly moved the people."

"We look forward to the team displaying to the world the potential of Korean soccer beyond just wins and losses as shown so far."

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also sent a congratulatory message to Paulo Bento, the Portuguese head coach of the Taegeuk Warriors.

Portuguese media quoted their leader as saying, "We have a better team than Korea but the latter outdid us in today's game," adding, "Coach Bento knows Portuguese soccer well and saw through it." 

President de Sousa also called Bento a "capable Portuguese leader" who deserves recognition for leading Korea well.

hrhr@korea.kr