Two first half goals from Giorgian de Arrascaeta inspired a 2-0 victory for Uruguay over Ghana on Friday at Al Janoub Stadium, a result that saw both teams eliminated from contention for the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. De Arrascaeta and Uruguay jumped ahead after an early penalty kick miss from Ghana captain André Ayew took the momentum away from the Black Stars, giving La Celeste hope of snatching second place in Group H. However it was Hwang Hee-chan’s dramatic late winner for South Korea in Group H’s other match that pushed the Koreans into the Round of 16 along with group winners Portugal, leaving Ghana and Uruguay both eliminated when the full time whistle blew.
When referee Daniel Siebert whistled for the opening kickoff both Ghana and Uruguay were firmly in the race for qualification to the next round and an even opening fifteen minutes led to an incident that would change the match. Ghana forward Jordan Ayew cut inside from the left wing before taking a low shot that was pushed away by Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet into the path of Mohammed Kudus, who was taken down by Rochet in the ensuing scramble. An initial call of offsides was ruled out by a long Video Assistant Referee review, after which a penalty kick was awarded to Ghana only for André Ayew to see his tame spot kick parried away by Rochet.
The penalty miss was clearly a massive moment and the Ghanaian team appeared to feel it most. Center back Daniel Amartey was caught in possession soon after, leading to a near goal for Liverpool striker Darwin Nuñez that was saved by a last second intervention from Amartey’s center back partner Mohammed Salisu. Another mistake from the Ghanaian defense would cost them dearly in the 26th minute when two Black Stars defenders including Amartey whiffed their attempts to play a cross. LuÃs Suarez collected and shot to force a save from Ghana keeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi but de Arrascaeta followed up to nod into an empty net.
Five minutes later a visibly confident Uruguay dealt Ghana another critical blow to make it 2-0. Jordan Ayew’s turnover in midfield led to an excellent Uruguayan team attack and Suarez flicked his pass from the edge of the penalty area for de Arrascaeta to send his volley under Ati-Zigi.
Ghana manager Otto Addo notably substituted both Ayew brothers at the half and it helped the Black Stars look a bit more threatening in attack. One of the substitutes, Kamaldeen Sulemana, did all he could to spark a comeback with his dribbling runs down the left wing but Ghana were unable to capitalize on the few opportunities they created.
Uruguay needed a goal as well but were frustrated by the Ghanaian defense and referee Siebert, who waved off a notable penalty appeal after Nuñez went down under an Amartey challenge. La Celeste failed to find the goal they needed to stay ahead of South Korea on the Group H table, who snatched an injury time winner from Hwang to break Uruguayan hearts.
Highlights are in the link below.
