At the Education City Stadium on Monday, the Black Stars defeated South Korea 3-2 behind a brilliant performance from Mohammed Kudus.
The Black Stars won their first World Cup match since upsetting the United States in Johannesburg in 2010 thanks to goals from Ajax midfielder, who scored in both halves.
After surviving an early onslaught from South Korea, the four-time African champions scored two goals in a span of 10 minutes, Mohammed Salisu and Kudus, both of which Jordan Ayew beautifully assisted, to conclude the first half with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
However, two quick goals from the Koreans early in the second half knotted the score. The Black Stars secured a crucial victory with goals from Kudus and Cho Gue-Sung in the 68th and 68th minutes, respectively.
ALL TO PLAY FOR ON FRIDAY! ⚽️
Uruguay HAVE to beat Ghana to progress to the next round and the Black Stars are out for REVENGE! How do you think this one will turn out? #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/YZlKWhMGgG
— GOAL Africa (@GOALAfrica) November 29, 2022
With a victory against Uruguay on December 2, the Black Stars will advance to the knockout stages.
In the first 17 minutes, South Korea did well to contain Ghana and win seven corners, but their lack of ingenuity was revealed when Salisu scored on a rebound after the South Korean defense failed to stop Jordan Ayew’s free-kick.
The goal sparked Otto Addo’s team into action, and they quickly took control. Ten minutes later, the impressive Kudus nodded in Ayew’s inviting cross from six yards out to double their advantage.
The first half saw South Korea struggle in the final third, but the second half saw them come to life, with Ati-Zigi being forced into a fantastic reaction save on Cho from close range as a sign of things to come.
🥈Joint most accurate forward zone passes by 🇬🇭(15)
🥈Most accurate back zone passes by a 🇬🇭 (22)
🥉 Most pass success by 🇬🇭 (37)
🥉Joint most clearances (5)
Salis Abdul Samed is the truth, he’s a revelation for the Black Stars 👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/HL7U6lmKbI
— Yaw Ampofo Jr (@Yaw_Ampofo_) November 28, 2022
Kang-In After coming off the bench, Lee had an immediate impact, winning the ball on the left wing and swinging in a cross for Cho to score.
Three minutes later, the striker scored again, nodding in a hanging cross from Jin-Su Kim from three yards out to tie the score.
But Ghana immediately took back the lead. After Inaki Williams missed a cut-back with an air-shot inside the box, the ball landed behind him and was quickly sunk by Kudus for the third goal of an incredible ten minutes.
In the ten minutes of extra time, South Korea increased their pressure but were unable to penetrate the Black Stars’ defense. A goal-line clearance and another excellent Ati-Zigi save allowed South Korea to win the match.
