In a stadium, there were tears of joy for South Korea. On the other side, the emotional players of Uruguay tried to understand what had just happened to them.
As another group came to a dramatic conclusion at the 2022 World Cup, it was Son Heung-min and his teammates who were overwhelmed with joy as their place in the last 16 was finally confirmed with a win 2 -1 on Portugal.
An inconsolable Luis Suarez and Co were left in disbelief at Al Janoub Stadium after Hwang Hee-chan’s stoppage-time strike left Uruguay one goal away from qualification, despite a 2-0 win over Ghana.
Here, BBC Sport looks back at the contrasting moods as Group H were tensely settled.
Tears of ecstasy…
Analysis of BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan watching South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Doha
It was around eight minutes after the final whistle at Education City Stadium when South Korea got their party started.
Their players and coaches had followed the end of Uruguay’s game against Ghana in a mass rally on the pitch – and their thousands of fans in the stands had done the same.
They were gathered in large groups and watched on tiny screens, all with their heads in their hands, wanting the African side to hold their ground.
When it was all over, there was a wave of pure relief. You didn’t even have to see it for yourself – it was evident from the deafening roar of their supporters and the whole team, quickly followed by a dance of joy.
South Korean fans had actually been bouncing around all day, staying excited when their team fell behind early on or when they worked for a second-half winner.
Iconic striker Son created the dream finish they craved, setting up Wolves leader Hwang to score the stoppage-time goal that was just the start of their happy ending.
Some fans around me knew this put them above Uruguay on goals scored, others just knew they now had a chance to qualify. All were anxious as they awaited their fate.
Below us the players also stood still until the end of Uruguay’s hopes, which caused an incredible outburst of emotion that will live long in the memory of all who witnessed this final. outstanding.
Tears of agony…
Analysis of BBC Sport’s Shamoon Hafez watching Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium, AL Wakrah
Uruguay and Ghana have met twice at the World Cup and both matches produced incredible drama that will be talked about for years.
Pantomime villain Luis Suarez was the main focus ahead of the match, with Ghanaian fans vowing revenge for 12 years ago when he handled the ball on the line and was sent off, before Asamoah Gyan only misses the resulting free kick.
Ghana went out on penalties that day and although they went out on that occasion as well, there will be a crumb of comfort knowing that they took Suarez and Uruguay with them.
Seven minutes were added and, as news of South Korea’s victory over Portugal filtered through, an image of Suarez sitting on the bench in disbelief emerged.
Ghana fans cheered loudly for his misery, which was compounded at the final whistle when they failed to find an elusive third goal that would have put them through.
Denied a late penalty when Edinson Cavani felt fouled in the box, Uruguay took out their fury and frustration on the match officials in an unsavory end.
Suarez, 35, was in tears at the end, consoled by 36-year-old centre-back Diego Godin, and both players may well have played their last games for their country.
Asked about his own future, boss Diego Alonso said: “It’s too early to talk about it. Let’s wait for hours, days and then we’ll discuss. It’s not time to answer such questions.
“The first day I believed in my players. We were seventh [in the South American qualifying group] when I joined but they responded well with results and good football.
“I’m grateful for what they did and everything we did along the way was perfect. I deeply regret that we were left out of the World Cup.”
