QATAR: The World Cup stint of Uruguay and Ghana ended after South Korea’s last-minute victory over Portugal and Uruguay’s 2-0 victory over Ghana.
Uruguay’s triumphal game failed to secure the qualifying position
Uruguay won the game with a first-half double from Giorgian de Arrascaeta. His effort fell in vain as the team was eliminated from the tournament because they scored fewer goals than South Korea in the group stages.
With the defeat to Uruguay, Ghana’s World Cup journey reached its end despite showing glimpses of ability to qualify for the knockouts. There was further heartbreak in the game for Andre Ayew when Sergio Rochet saved his spot-kick with the score at 0-0.
The African team failed to avenge the penalty shootout defeat to Uruguay in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup. Both teams got off to a brisk start, and after 18 minutes, a VAR check gave Ghana a penalty. Goalkeeper Rochet had brought down Mohammed Kudus inside the area.
Three minutes after the referee awarded the penalty, Ayew stepped up to take the spot kick. Rochet comfortably saved Ayew’s weak penalty kick. It brought back memories of Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan missing a penalty kick on the final kick of the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal matchup with Ghana.
Darwin Nunez’s lofted effort by Uruguay almost gave them the lead moments later, but Mohammed Salisu stopped it. However, Uruguay scored first in the 26th minute when De Arrascaeta scored after Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi saved Luis Suarez’s attempt.
The South American team multiplied their lead five minutes after the fact through another De Arrascaeta strike following a fine group move. After the quick double, the South American team appeared at ease and desired a penalty before the hour mark.
After another lengthy VAR check, the referee did not award a penalty for Daniel Amartey’s careless challenge on Nunez inside the area. Ghana had a few goal-scoring opportunities late on, but substitute Antoine Semenyo’s close-range effort went wide, and Rochet’s excellent save kept Kudus out.
Uruguay attempted to add one more goal as news of South Korea’s victory spread, but they were unsuccessful and, as a result, were eliminated from the tournament.
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