2022 World Cup: Uruguay held by South Korea; Embolo delivers a classic as Switzerland edge Cameroon
Uruguay and South Korea battled to a goalless draw in their Group H opener in the 2022 World Cup.
Uruguay started with Liverpool forwards past and present as Darwin Nunez lined up alongside Luis Suarez, while Heung-Min Son was fit enough to start for South Korea after his recent fractured eye socket, but none of them could find the breakthrough despite a lively encounter in Qatar.
Uruguay hit the post twice but no breakthrough but South Korea came out with plenty of attacking intent and endeavour, but lacked a clinical edge in front of goal. Their best chance of the first half came after 34 minutes as Moon-Hwan Kim found Ui-Jo Hwang in space in the box, but he could only fire over the crossbar.
Just before the break, Uruguay should have taken the lead themselves as Diego Godin rose highest at a corner, but his header rattled the post before bouncing clear.
And Uruguay went close again towards the end as Federico Valverde’s fierce drive from just outside the box slammed against the outside of the woodwork, before Son went up the other end and lashed just wide himself from range.
It leaves Group H wide open for both sides as they head into their second group games on Monday, with Uruguay meeting Portugal, and South Korea facing Ghana.
Switzerland edged their way to victory in a lively match against Cameroon thanks to a second-half goal from Breel Embolo, who scored against his country of birth.
However, in the early stages the African side looked most likely to make a breakthrough, Karl Toko Ekambi having an inch-perfect cross taken off his toes by the defender as he raced into the penalty area.
The Swiss too came close, Manuel Akanji heading wide from a corner, but it wasn’t until the second half that a goal threat really emerged. Just minutes after the break, a wonderful team move saw Switzerland pass their way from left to right, shifting through the gears, before Xherdan Shaqiri’s excellent pull-back put it on a plate for Embolo.
Cameroon remained a threat on the counter and via set-pieces – Andre Anguissa met a Bryan Mbeumo free-kick sweetly but the header was straight down Yann Sommer’s throat – but it was Switzerland who appeared most likely to add a second goal to the game.
Andre Onana smartly prevented Ruben Vargas from doubling the scoreline midway through the second half and Haris Seferovic had a late attempt bravely blocked as the scoreline remained 1-0.
It was a moment of deep respect as Embolo, born in Cameroon, gave a muted response to putting Switzerland ahead.
Embolo’s hometown is the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde, but a young Breel left for France with his mother when he was just five years old after relocating to Switzerland in 2014,
