Ghana 0-2 Uruguay: Win not enough for South Americans as South Korea advance by fine margins
Uruguay saw their 2022 FIFA World Cup hopes vanish in a matter of seconds as a 2-0 win over Ghana in their Group H fixture at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah on Friday was not enough to see them through to the knockout stages.
The South Americans were comfortably sailing into the last 16, thanks to a quick-fire double from Giorgian de Arrascaeta after Ghana and Andre Ayew spurned an early penalty. But South Korea’s sensational injury-time winner against Portugal in the other Group H game led to Uruguay’s demise on the number of goals scored.
Portugal finished top of the group with six points while South Korea progressed to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2010 with four points – tied on the same points and goal difference as Uruguay, but a superior four goals scored taking them thorough.
Earlier, Luis Suarez had come into partner Darwin Nunez in the Uruguay attack as Edinson Cavani dropped to the bench, while Ghana had Alidu Seidu and Baba Rahman replacing Tariq Lamptey and Gideon Mensah from the side that beat South Korea 3-2.
Reminiscent of their quarterfinal defeat in 2010, Ghana failed to capitalise on a penalty awarded to them after Mohammed Kudus was brought down inside the box by goalkeeper Sergio Rochet in the 17th minute. Andre Ayew stepped out to take the penalty, but saw it comfortably saved by Rochet.
The Black Stars would rue the missed penalty as the South Americans took the lead in the 26th minute. Luis Suarez’s initial effort was denied by Lawrence Ati-Zigi, but there was nothing the Ghanaian custodian could do as de Arrascaeta bundled in from the rebound.
One goal became two six minutes later as de Arrascaeta, who plies his trade in Brazil with Flamengo, fired home a powerful volley for his second after a cheeky ball over the Ghanaian backline from Uruguay captain Suarez.
Desperate to turn their fortunes around, Ghana head coach Otto Addo introduced Osman Bukari and Kamaldeen Sulemana in place of Andre and Jordan Ayew. But it was Diego Alonso’s side that continued to create the better of the chances.
In the 58th minute, Nunez went down inside the box under the challenge from Daniel Amartey, but the referee denied Uruguay a penalty after looking at the pitchside monitor. Facundo Pellistri hit the side netting in the 65th minute before Ati-Zigi was called into action to deny a Federico Valverde strike from distance five minutes later.
Substitute Sulemana came into life on the left wing towards the later stages of the game and another substitute Antoine Semenyo pulled his shot wide of the far post before Rochet produced a brilliant save to deny a venomous Kudus strike from distance in the 81st minute.
Uruguay seemed to have a knockout berth sealed comfortably, but the mood in their camp turned as news of South Korea’s winner against Portugal filtered in with five minutes left to play. Despite a 2-0 lead, they had to score again to pip South Korea to second place on goal difference.
Searching for the all-important goal, Cavani produced a save off Ati-Zigi in the 89th minute before he was flagged offside and the Ghana shot-stopper was once again on hand to collect a Nicolas de la Cruz free kick in the 98th minute which proved to be Uruguay’s final chance to rescue their World Cup hopes.
As a result, it is South Korea who progress by the slightest of margins as Group H runners-up, set to face Group G winners Brazil in the last 16, while Group H winners Portugal will face the runners-up from Group G that also features Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia.
