Ghana edge out South Korea in five-goal thriller

Mohammed Kudus scored twice to help Ghana beat South Korea 3-2 in a FIFA World Cup Group H thriller at the Education City Stadium on Monday, keeping the Black Stars in contention for a place in the last 16.

Against the run of play, Ghana went ahead in the 24th minute when Mohammed Salisu struck from close range after South Korea failed to clear a free kick and Kudus add a second with a glancing header to give the African side a 2-0 halftime lead.

South Korea came roaring back, however, with two daring Cho Gue-sung headers three minutes apart to level the seesaw match.

Kudus grabbed the winner in the 68th minute when he was left unmarked in the penalty area and slotted home past a diving Kim Seung-gyu.

Things got heated after referee Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle. A long range shot from a Korean player in the dying minutes of extra time deflected off a Ghana player and went behind the Ghana goal post.

The Korean players expected a corner kick but the referee, instead, blew the final whistle.

The Korean players and their head coach Paulo Bento surrounded the referee. Bento was shown a red card by the referee for his transgression.

Ghana, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at 61st, joined Portugal at the top of the group standings on three points with Uruguay and South Korea on one. Portugal and Uruguay play later on Monday.