Tottenham star Son Heung-min has spoken about the message he gave to his South Korea team-mates as they faced an agonising wait to learn their World Cup fate.
A stoppage-time goal from Hwang Hee-chan gave Paulo Bento's side victory over Portugal, but another goal for Uruguay against Ghana could have still sent them out. Son described the wait as the longest six minutes of his life, but South Korea eventually made it through on goals scored when the full-time whistle blew in the other Group H game.
The Spurs man had been in tears after defeat by Ghana left his team's hopes hanging by a thread. However, the 30-year-old delivered an X-rated message to his international colleagues to remind them of how much they had achieved, regardless of the eventual outcome.
"It was the longest six minutes of my life," Son told reporters. "In the circle we were really positive.
"The guys were saying, we deserve this. Then I said: 'Look, whatever happens, even if Uruguay score one more goal, I'm f***ing proud of this team and very happy we gave everything, we'll see what going to happen'."
He added that the situation was "similar" to South Korea's 2018 elimination, when they won their last group game but were reliant on results elsewhere. "We beat Germany 2-0 and if Mexico had won their game, maybe we would go through but this time was different so we were waiting on other results," he added.
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After a goalless draw with Uruguay, South Korea's defeat by Ghana left them knowing only a win would suffice. Even then, a Ghana win against Uruguay - or a win for the South Americans by enough goals - would have sent them home.
Ricardo Horta's goal for Portugal left Bento's team with an uphill battle, but Kim Young-gwon gave them hope before Hwang put away Son's pass. Giorgian de Arrascaeta's double in the other game - after a penalty miss from Ghana star Andre Ayew - meant it was Uruguay who could progress with a late goal, but it didn't arrive.
Uruguay's players were furious at the denial of a penalty which could have given them the three-goal victory they needed, with Daniel Amartey ruled not to have committed a foul. A number of their players chased referee Daniel Siebert down the tunnel after the game to make their feelings known.
South Korea will play Brazil in the last 16, despite Tite's side losing their final group game. Vincent Aboubakar found a late winner for Cameroon against a much-changed Brazil team, but the 2002 World Cup winners pipped Switzerland to top spot in their group on goal difference.
