'Miracles and Joy': A Look Back at World Cup 'Third Match' Dramas

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From Park Ji-sung's winning goal against Portugal in 2002 to the 'Miracle of Kazan' in 2018 and the 'Miracle of Doha' in 2022, South Korean football has a history of memorable moments in the third match of the World Cup group stage.

Reporter Ha Seong-nyong looks back at these historic 'third match dramas' that raise expectations for tomorrow's (June 25) game.

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In the third match of the 1986 Mexico World Cup, South Korea lost 3-2 to the powerhouse Italy, but wrote a new chapter in history by scoring multiple goals in a single match for the first time, thanks to consecutive goals from Choi Soon-ho and Huh Jung-moo.

[Choi Soon-ho / 1986 World Cup National Team Member: I have experienced many times that good memories lead to more good memories and positive results. Our current national team players will likely be drawing on those good memories as well.]

In 1998, the late coach Yoo Sang-chul scored a dramatic equalizer to secure a draw against the strong Belgian side. In the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, Park Ji-sung scored a wonder goal to defeat Portugal, creating an upset that confirmed the team's first-ever advancement to the knockout stage.

Eight years later in South Africa, South Korea achieved its first-ever away round of 16 appearance with a draw against Nigeria. In the last two third-match encounters, the team delivered 'miraculous performances.'

In 2018, consecutive goals from Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min in second-half stoppage time led to the 'Miracle of Kazan,' where they defeated Germany, then ranked No. 1 in the FIFA rankings. Four years ago in Qatar, the entire nation was stirred by the 'Miracle of Doha,' as Son Heung-min's assist and Hwang Hee-chan's dramatic goal in stoppage time defeated Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to reach the round of 16.

[Son Heung-min / National Football Team Captain (2022): We did our best in 2018 as well, but we couldn't achieve this kind of result. This time, it's truly special to have achieved this result, and I am so, so proud of our players.]

Hong Myung-bo's squad will look to carry on the fighting spirit of their predecessors as they aim for a third consecutive victory in the third match tomorrow.

[Lee Kang-in / National Football Team Midfielder: We will do our best to make football fun and bring happiness to many people, so we ask for your continued love and support.]

(Video Editing: Lee Jae-sung, Design: Choi Jin-hwi)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.