Matthew Upson thinks Tottenham forward Son Heung-min and Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka are ‘really stepping up’ for their respective nations at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The BBC pundit added how Son produced the goods when it mattered most for South Korea during the group stages and Granit Xhaka has been leading by example for Switzerland in the middle of the park.
South Korea went into their final group game against Portugal needing a win to progress to the knockout stages, and heading into stoppage-time, they needed a goal to win the tie and seal a last-16 spot.
That’s when Son produced a driving run into Portugal’s half, kept his composure despite bodies being around him, and threaded an outstanding through ball to Wolves star, Hwang Hee-chan, who secured the dramatic win – they will now face Brazil in the knockout stages.
As for Switzerland, they were up against Serbia in a politically-charged game, and despite taking the lead, they fell behind and were heading out, only for Xhaka to lead his troops from the middle of the park and secure a Man of the Match performance.
That’s two key players for their respective countries stepping up when they are needed and they were applauded by former England defender Upson, as he told Match of the Day.
“Son had to step up and have that kind of performance,” said Upson. “I think in the first two games he’s not given the account of himself as the player we know he can.
“But against Portugal, he was different. The impact he had on the game. The pass was fantastic. The vision to see that pass through all those bodies which made the difference.”
On Xhaka: “I thought Xhaka was excellent in midfield. He was organising. He is really stepping up and playing well, at the moment.”
TOUGH TESTS AWAIT SON AND XHAKA
For Son and South Korea, it’s only a small matter of facing one of the pre-World Cup favourites in Brazil.
Whilst they were beaten by Cameroon for their final group game, Tite did make several changes, plus a certain Neymar Jr is back on the field.
For Switzerland, they will be fancying their chances against a Portugal side that haven’t really lit up the competition, but just like at Euro 2016, they are resolute and very tough to beat.
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