Mohammed Kudus scored a brace to help Ghana produce one of the high-scoring World Cup results of the weekend action. In the first 20 minutes, South Korea exerted the most pressure, forcing seven corners, but Mohammed Salisu gave Ghana the lead against the odds during a goalmouth melee (24). After a superbly executed cross from the left side by Jordan Ayew, Kudus doubled the lead (34) with a precise glancing header. Around the hour mark, Cho Gue Song scored two quick headers to even the score again for South Korea. Kudus then added his second goal of the match with a well-placed finish in the 68th minute to make it 3-2.
Center-back Salisu’s scrambling goal in the 24th minute was followed ten minutes later by a glancing header from Kudus as Ghana held off early South Korean pressure to go 2-0 ahead. Jordan Ayew, who was reinstated to the starting lineup, delivered both goals with consummate skill as Ghana fielded a considerably more offensive team than it did against Portugal. The South Korean defense was confused by Ayew’s expertly weighted free-kick, and Salisu quickly turned to score the game’s first goal as the ball bounced around.
Once more, Ayew delivered a vicious ball at the ideal height and pace for Kudus to apply a glancing touch with his head and extend the lead for the Black Stars. Early second-half substitutions revived South Korea’s offensive, and after only one minute on the field, Lee Kang-In assisted in dispossessing Tariq Lamptey and fired in a cross that Cho raced to, leaving Salisu watching as he went in front of his defender to force home a header in the 58th minute. Cho, 24, soared above the center-backs to score a stunning equalizer in front of a bank of yelling South Korean fans after a chip from Kim Jin-Su sent Lawrence Ati-Zigi, the out-of-position goalkeeper, scrambling.
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