The final day of action in Group H at the 2022 World Cup provided late drama after Uruguay ran out 2-0 winners against Ghana in a rematch from twelve years ago, but neither side were able to advance into the round of 16 after South Korea’s late heroic’s in a comeback win against Portugal.
Ghana kicked off Friday sitting second in Group H with three points from two games. Uruguay, on the other hand, had just one point to its name. As a result, Ghana likely only needed a draw to make it into the round of 16, as long as South Korea did not beat Portugal by two or more goals in the other Group H clash. For Uruguay to qualify, they needed to pick up the win over the African outfit and hope Portugal beat South Korea.
Final en 📍𝐀𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐛 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦
2⃣ 🇺🇾 – 0⃣🇬🇭#UruguayEnEl10 #MundialEnEl10 #CopaMundialFIFA #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/jeYU37PNvn— Canal 10 (@canal10uruguay) December 2, 2022
The Black Stars nearly took the lead inside the first twenty minutes after breakout starlet Mohammed Kudus was judged to have been brought down in the area by goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, but the Uruguayan shot-stopper would make amends for the questionable call when he parried away André Ayew’s tame effort rather comfortably. It would prove decisive.
That miss would end up being decisive six minutes later after Giorgian de Arrascaeta headed home from inside two yards after Luis Suárez had his effort from close range parried away by Lawrence Ati-Zigi only for it to find the Flamengo winger free in the box to convert for Uruguay’s first goal of the tournament.
Uruguay would double their lead in the 32nd minute once again through De Arrascaeta after Ghana gave possession away cheaply in the middle third of the pitch before the two-time World Cup winners produced some lovely combination play before Suárez turned provider for the second time in the first half when he found his winger open in the box with a chipped bit of service into space for him to slam home on the volley past Ati-Zigi.
Ghana boss Otto Addo made two big changes at the half, removing both Jordan and André Ayew and replacing them with talented young winger Kamaldeen Sulemana and Osman Bukari.
As news filtered through the ground that South Korea had fought back against Portugal, the tempo of the match reached its zenith as Uruguay, who previously thought they were destined for the round of 16, now needed a third goal late on to secure advancement in the tournament. And that goal would never come, with Uruguay’s tepid performances in the first two group stage matches coming back to haunt them.
📰 Table Of Contents
Ghana Player Ratings
- Lawrence Ati-Zigi (GK): 7
- Alidu Seidu (RB): 7
- Daniel Amartey (CB): 6.5
- Mohammed Salisu (CB): 6.5
- Abdul-Rahman Baba (LB): 6.5
- Thomas Partey (CM): 6.5
- Salis Abdul Samed (CM): 6.5
- André Ayew (CAM): 5.5
- Inaki Williams (RW): 6
- Jordan Ayew (LW): 6
- Mohammed Kudus (CF): 7
- Kamaldeen Sulemana (Sub): 6.5
- Osman Bukari (Sub): 6
- Antoine Semenyo (Sub): 6
- Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Sub): 6
- Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sub): 6
Uruguay Player Ratings
- Sergio Rochet (GK): 8
- Guillermo Varela (RB): 7
- José Giménez (CB): 7
- Sebastián Coates (CB): 6
- Mathiás Olivera (LB): 7
- Facundo Pellistri (RM): 6.5
- Federico Valverde (CM): 6.5
- Rodrigo Bentancur (CM): 7 –
- Giorgian de Arrascaeta (LM): 8.5
- Luis Suárez (RF): 8
- Darwin Núñez (LF): 6.5
- Matías Vecino (Sub): 6
- Edinson Cavani (Sub): 6
- Nicolás de la Cruz (Sub): 6
- Maximiliano Gómez(Sub): 6
- Augustín Canobbio (Sub): 6
Social Media
2 – Since detailed collection began in 1966, Ghana are the only side to miss two penalties against a single opponent at the World Cup, excluding shoot-outs (in 2010 and 2022 vs Uruguay). Flashbacks. pic.twitter.com/bDdeq4TpDG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2022
Andre Ayew’s penalty miss against Uruguay was the 5th saved penalty of the 2022 World Cup out of 12 taken. That means 42% of penalties taken at this World Cup have been saved.
Misfiring from the spot. ❌ pic.twitter.com/pT4dkS3k6i
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 2, 2022
What a turnaround. Ghana goes from missing a penalty to falling behind, and Uruguay is currently positioned to go through
(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/PDUDwmUaTL
— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) December 2, 2022
🗣️ ¡𝙂𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙇!@GiorgiandeA convierte el 2-0 a los 31’ de juego.
🏆 @FIFAWorldCup#Qatar2022#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/jaQrMRWClX
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) December 2, 2022
Flamengo’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta has a brace, including a sublime finish for the second. Both came from Luis Suarez assists.🤝 pic.twitter.com/OSQ0DneFH4
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) December 2, 2022
3 – Giorgian de Arrascaeta is the third Uruguayan to score two goals in the first-half of a World Cup match, after Juan Peregrino Anselmo vs Yugoslavia in 1930 and Oscar Miguez vs Bolivia in 1950. Uruguay won the World Cup at both editions. Charm. pic.twitter.com/6cwLGmL06W
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2022
Genuinely the best we’ve seen from Uruguay at the World Cup. The energy from their midfield is being matched by movement up front. Ghana haven’t been able to test their defence since the penalty.
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) December 2, 2022
The possible end of the Ayews in a Ghana shirt? https://t.co/5mJBamTMPI
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) December 2, 2022
A huge chance for Ghana! 🇬🇭
As it stands, Ghana needs two goals in the final minutes to advance to the knockout stage pic.twitter.com/I0hsP28e5R
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 2, 2022
LUIS SUAREZ AFTER SEEING THAT SOUTH KOREA SCORED!
AS IT STANDS, URUGUAY ARE ELIMINATED. pic.twitter.com/rRvkP5CGTr
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 2, 2022
We will talk about Black Stars and how we threw this away, but for now it’s Uruguay’s exit for me!!!
— George Addo Jnr (@addojunr) December 2, 2022
