South Korea will have two things to offer when they face Portugal in their must-win final Group H game at the World Cup – collective dedication and passion – as they hope for a miracle to qualify for the last 16.
The Koreans are third in Group H with one point and must beat Portugal to have a chance to progress to the knockout stage for the third time after 2002 and 2010.
Portugal have already qualified but still need a point to guarantee top spot so have not fielded a reserve team at the Education City stadium.
South Korea coach Paulo Bento, a former Portugal international, said on Thursday that his home country have “one of the greatest generations of Portuguese football”.
State of play
Portugal have qualified on six points. A point will guarantee they win the group. Should they lose and Ghana defeat Uruguay, a three-goal swing is required for Portugal to lose top spot.
A win against Uruguay will put Ghana through. A draw will be sufficient unless South Korea beat Portugal, in which case Ghana must hope South Korea secure only a one goal win, otherwise the Asian side will pip them on goal difference.
South Korea must beat Portugal, and hope that Ghana do not win. If Ghana draw, their hopes hinge on their goal difference compared to Ghana. If Ghana lose, then South Korean hopes depend on their goal difference compared to Uruguay.
Uruguay must win and hope that South Korea do not beat Portugal. If both Uruguay and South Korea are victorious, then their relative goal differences will decide who qualifies.
Portugal team news
Team to play South Korea: Costa, Dalot, Pepe, Silva, Cancelo, Mario, Neves, Vitinha, Nunes, Ronaldo, Horta.
Subs: Patricio, Sa, Dias, Guerriero, Palhinha, Fernandes, A Silva, B Silva, Felix, Carvalho, Leao, Ramos.
South Korea team news
Team to play Portugal: Kim Seunggyu, Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Kwon, Kim Moonhwan, Jung, Hwang, Lee Jaesung, Lee Kangin, Son, Cho.
