Throwbacks

The Wolves player who once saved his country with a late winner against Cristiano Ronaldo

In the absence of Premier League action this weekend, how about a Wolves World Cup throwback.

If nothing else, the international break is giving us cause to get excited about the next World Cup.

Next summer, players from all over the world will be vying for glory in the biggest tournament in sport, which is sure to feature many of Vitor Pereira’s men.

A few Wolves players have secured World Cup qualification, one of whom had a huge moment at the previous iteration of the competition in Qatar.

His goal single-handedly saved his country from elimination against Cristiano Ronaldo’s formidable Portugal side.

Hwang Hee-chan’s late heroics against Portugal

You might remember this moment well, or you might have missed it amidst the litany of games that filled the group stages.

It was a must-win game for South Korea, with their place in the knockout stages on the line.

Uruguay were the other team vying for that second qualification spot, and they were leading Ghana 2-0, looking like they were at the finish line.

South Korea were tied 1-1 with Portugal as the clock ticked past 90, and their tournament looked all but over. That was until Son Heung-min slipped Hwang through for an injury time winner that would see his country make the knockout stage on goal difference.

Their round of 16 tie would then be against Brazil, who cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory, finally bringing the unlikely run to an end.

Nevertheless, a heroic moment that the Wolves forward will remember forever.

Wolves’ next World Cup hero?

It’s an odd situation for Wolves at the moment, whereby it’s the most players they’ve ever had making national selection, but there are no bona fide starters, at least not in the forward areas.

Hwang has aged out of starting contention, while Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare are in the unfortunate situation of being behind world-class strikers.

Erling Haaland and Jorgen Strand Larsen of Norway celebrate victory following the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Estonia and Norway
Photo by Ville Vuorinen – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Strand Larsen has to contend with Erling Haaland, while Tolu has Victor Osimhen ahead of him.

Both will still have hope of featuring regularly next summer, and that added motivation of minutes could pay dividends for Vitor Pereira.