Another day, another goalless draw at a World Cup that has seen more than its fair share of such games. Yet this one didn’t end without nearly producing some fireworks.
South Korea and Uruguay both had individual moments of attacking danger. Uruguayan center back Diego Godín, playing in his fourth World Cup, crashed a header off the inside of the post in the first half. Midfielder Federico Valverde, in the midst of a transcendent season at Real Madrid, almost sent home a rocket of an effort in the 90th minute that instead caromed off the post. South Korea, whose talisman Son Heung-min suffered an orbital fracture earlier this month and played with a protective mask, had its own wasted chances, most notably an open look at the edge of the six-yard box skied over goal by striker Hwang Ui-jo. A draw, in the end, isn’t a terrible result for either team. South Korea controlled possession and limited chances for much of the match, but Uruguay were the closest to stealing the three points. In a deep Group H, this first match means the race for the two coveted knockout stage spots is as open as ever.
Son’s status was in doubt for this opening match, but South Korea’s captain received the start. It was his first time on the pitch since Nov. 1, when he suffered the injury in the first half of a Champions League tie vs. Marseille.
