South Korea Beat Spain 5-3 in Shootout to Enter World Cup Semis

South Korea Beat Spain 5-3 in Shootout

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South Korea on Saturday became the first Asian team to reach the World Cup semifinals as the co-hosts beat Spain 5-3 in penalty shoot after a 0-0 tie in 120 minutes.

In the first half, Spain looked better organized and more dangerous than the South Koreans, who had ousted favorites Portugal and Italy.

Fernando Morientes, who started in the absence of injured world class striker Raul, sent a powerful header to South Korean goal in the 27th minute.

Keeper Lee Woon-jae clutched the ball but fell back with the momentum. He leaned against a near polo keep the ball out of the goal line.

Javi de Pedro forced a brilliant tip-off save from Lee in the 45th minute.

In the 50th minute, South Korean midfielder Kim Tae-young headed a Spanish free kick into his own net, but the own goal was annulled for an earlier foul by Morientes.

In the 66th minute, Spanish keeper Iker Casillas made a wonderful diving save of Park Ji-sung's angled shot after the Spaniards had contained a series of attacks.

Nine minutes into extra time, South Korea luckily escaped sudden death as Morientes hit the far post.