Uruguay bow out on goals scored despite win over Ghana

Group H

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s quickfire double to secure victory over Ghana failed to stop Uruguay crashing out of the World Cup on goals scored.

La Celeste’s victory had them in pole position to reach the last 16 until Hwang Hee-chan’s late winner sent South Korea, who beat Portugal 2-1, through instead.

Defeat at the Al Janoub Stadium also saw Ghana knocked out in Group H.

It had looked like Diego Alonso’s side would progress, with Sergio Rochet’s penalty save from Andre Ayew sparking Uruguay but they suffered agony in Qatar.

It was also more pain for the Black Stars having been knocked out of the 2010 World Cup by Uruguay after Asamoah Gyan’s spot-kick miss following Luis Suarez’s last-minute handball, with Uruguay going on to win the quarter-final on penalties.

Sergio Rochet denies Andre Ayew from the spot.

Ahead of the game, Suarez had refused to apologise and there was penalty drama after 21 minutes when Ghana were given a golden chance to open the scoring.

Rochet brought down Mohammed Kudus, with Ghana being awarded the penalty after a VAR review, with referee Daniel Siebert consulting his monitor – only for Rochet to comfortably save Ayew’s awful spot-kick.

It was a miss which was immediately costly as De Arrascaeta struck twice in six minutes.

Darwin Nunez had already seen a goalbound chip cleared by Southampton’s Mohammed Salisu before De Arrascaeta pounced after 26 minutes.

Suarez was given too much time in the area and, when Lawrence Ati-Zigi could only parry his strike, De Arrascaeta headed in from two yards.

Better was to come four minutes later when the Flamengo star finished off a flowing move with a crisp low volley past Ati-Zigi.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta celebrates after scoring.

Ghana were shellshocked and Ayew and brother Jordan were replaced at the break by Kamaldeen Sulemana and Osman Bukari.

It failed to change the game’s direction and Ghana escaped when Siebert turned down Nunez’s penalty claims following Daniel Amartey’s clumsy challenge.

Facundo Pellistri shot wide for Uruguay and Federico Valverde’s drive was beaten out by Ati-Zigi.

Time was running out for Ghana and Antoine Semenyo dragged wide before Rochet tipped Kudus’ low shot past the post as they failed to find a way back.

Sebastian Coates stabbed wide with the news of South Korea’s late show reaching Uruguay and the furious players surrounding referee Siebert at the final whistle.

Man of the match: Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Uruguay)

Substitutions:

Ghana

  • Kamal-Deen Sulemana replaces Jordan Ayew  46 mins
  • Osman Bukari replaces Andre Ayew 46 mins
  • Antoine Semenyo replaces Inaki Williams 72 mins
  • Daniel-Kofi Kyereh replaces Salis Abdul Samed  72 mins
  • Abdul Issahaku replaces Mohammed Kudus 90 mins

Uruguay

  • Matias Vecino replaces Rodrigo Bentancur 34 mins
  • Edinson Cavani replaces Luis Suarez 66 mins
  • Nicolás De La Cruz replaces Facundo Pellistri 66 mins
  • Maxi Gomez  replaces Giorgian de Arrascaeta 80 mins
  • Agustin Canobbio replaces Darwin Nunez 80 mins

Yellow cards:

Ghana – Kamal-Deen Sulemana, Alidu Seidu

Uruguay – Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez, Sebastian Coates, Edinson Cavani, Jose Maria Gimenez

Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)

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