Fifa World Cup 2022: Uruguay fail to fire in draw with South Korea

Uruguay's Diego Godin reacts at the end of the World Cup group H soccer match between Uruguay and South Korea. Photo / AP

Another favoured team has failed to impress in the early stages of the World Cup.

This time it was South Korea holding South American power Uruguay to a 0-0 draw today, a result that probably favours the Asian team.

The draw at Education City Stadium was yet another early World Cup match with a surprising result. Argentina and Germany both lost their opening matches in major upsets.

However, it was the nature of the draw that had statisticians scurrying to their databases with both sides failing to record a single shot on target throughout the match.

According to Gracenote Sports, it’s the first time in over a century that this ignominious feat has occurred at a Fifa World Cup.

Despite that, Uruguay had two clear chances to make the scoresheet. Diego Godin hit the post with a header in the 43rd minute and Federico Valverde hit it again in the 89th.

But it was South Korea, with forward Son Heung-min wearing a mask to protect a broken left eye socket, who always looked the more likely to score against the more experienced Uruguayans. The South Koreans were quicker, pressing from the opening whistle.

Some South Korean fans wore Batman-like masks in solidarity with Son.

Uruguay will next face Portugal in Group H while South Korea plays Ghana.

South Korea attacked from the start and Son excited the crowd every time he touched the ball. He managed only one threatening attack in the first half, however, and did less in the second.

South Korea always looked quicker than Uruguay, but not necessarily the more dangerous. The team’s best chance came in the 34th minute when Hwang Ui-jo sailed a close-range attempt over the crossbar.

As the half wore on, Uruguay began to take more possession but always seemed more cautious, taking less initiative despite having the more experienced players.

Son went down in a heap early in the second half with Martin Caceres getting the first yellow card of the match.

Uruguay coach Diego Alonso sent in Edinson Cavani for Luis Suarez in 64th minute as the pace of the match slowed until Valverde hit the post in the final minutes.