The Portuguese coach took responsibility for the loss to Korea

"During halftime, I told the whole team that every time we got on the ball, we created danger. Not only short passes, but also long shots. But we couldn't maintain that in the half. two. The players have worked hard and the responsibility is mine," Santos said after the game at Education City.

According to the Portuguese leader, the players lost their fierceness in the duels in the second half. He thinks the defeat can affect the rising morale of Portugal, but is confident the whole team will return quickly. "We can't stop," said the 68-year-old strategist. "In the World Cup, every opponent is very dangerous."

Just one point to keep the top of the table, Portugal played easily and took the lead in the 5th minute. In an overwhelming position, they could have increased the gap if Cristiano Ronaldo or Ricardo Horta took full advantage of the opportunities. .

Korea played not too impressively, but equalized thanks to a close-range volley from center-back Kim Young-gwon, which came from a fixed situation 27 minutes in. When the match seemed to end 1-1, Korea. suddenly scored in stoppage time. After speeding up to counterattack, Son Heung-min poked a slot for Hwang Hee-chan to shoot diagonally into the goal. Despite losing, Portugal did not lose the top of the table, due to slightly better than Korea in terms of difference.

Sad to lose the match, but midfielder Joao Mario believes that Portugal still retains confidence when completing the goal of winning the top spot. "That's the most important thing," he insisted. "We know our strength, but the group stage is over, and the knockout round will be very different. We have to focus as much as we can and try to get as far as possible."

Portugal's next opponent is Switzerland - second in Group G after Brazil. Asked about the match against Portugal, Switzerland's coach Murat Yakin replied: "Switzerland can score more goals against Serbia, but the important thing is the ticket to progress. We have a chance when we face Portugal. Yes. It's an open game, and we want to make history. If the game is good and if the Swiss tactics work, anything is possible."