Ghanaian footballers end up at the World Cup for the second time after the match with Uruguay. The South American side knocked them out in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on penalties after Asamoah Gyan’s penalty kick was missed in the final seconds of extra time.
The Ghanaians did not take advantage of the penalty this time either. After a quarter of an hour of goalless play, goalkeeper Sergio Rochet fouled Mohammed Kudus in the box, but captain Andre Ayew’s attempt was saved by Uruguay’s goalkeeper. De Arrascaeta then scored in the 26th and 32nd minutes, but it was not enough to progress.
Photo: Themba Hadebe, CTK/AP
Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez goes down after a tackle by Daniel Amartey from Ghana.Photo: Trust HadebeČTK/AP
The 1930s and 1950s world champions finished third with four points, missing out on fewer goals scored. Ghana finished last with three points.
Foto: John Sibley, Reuters
Giorgian de Arrascaeta scores Uruguay’s second goal in the World Cup match against Ghana.Photo: John SibleyReuters
Ghana had a unique opportunity to take the lead in the 21st minute when Andre Ayew took a penalty after the video referee intervened. But his shot from a slow run-up was safely caught by Rochet. Five minutes later, Suárez got a chance, who kept his composure and stuck the ball in the box to create an excellent position for a shot, his attempt was only deflected by goalkeeper Ati-Zigi and the chasing De Arrascaeta headed the ball into the empty net from close range.
In six minutes, the goalkeeper of Ghana capitulated again. Suárez lobbed the ball to De Arrascaeta and he added the second goal with a volley. In the second act, Núñez had a chance, but the Liverpool striker was brought down by Amartey in the penalty area. However, German referee Siebert surprisingly did not award the penalty even after watching the video.
Foto: John Sibley, Reuters
Luis Suárez celebrates Uruguay’s goal.Photo: John SibleyReuters
At the end of the match, the footballers on the field learned about the result of the parallel match between Portugal and Korea, and both teams focused on attacking play. In the third minute of regulation in the African team’s goal, Cavani fell after a fight, but the referee did not whistle the penalty again. Chances on both sides remained untapped, Coates had one of the last opportunities, but the Uruguayan stopper missed the goal after Cavani’s pass.
Uruguay kept a clean sheet in the last seven matches in the World Cup group, but a lack of shooting productivity cost the South American team progress. Ghana was eliminated despite having the best starting position of the trio of contenders before the final round.
Photo: Themba Hadebe, CTK/AP
Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet saves André Ayew’s penalty from Ghana.Photo: Trust HadebeČTK/AP
| World Cup in Qatar – Group H (Vakra): |
| Ghana – Uruguay 0:2 (0:2) |
| Goals: 26th and 32nd De Arrascaeta. Referees: Siebert – Seidel, Foltyn – Dankert (video, all German). ŽK: Sulemana, Seidu – Núñez, Suárez, Coates, Giménez, Cavani. Viewers: 43,443. |
| Ghana: Ati-Zigi – Seidu, Amartey, Salisu, Baba, Partey, Samed (72. Kyereh), Kudus (90.+8 Fatawu), A. Ayew (46. Bukari), J. Ayew (46. Sulemana) Williams (72. Stone). Trainer: Addo. |
| Uruguay: Rochet – Varela, Gimenez, Coates, Olivera – De Arrascaeta (80. Gomez), Bentancur (34. Vecino), Valverde – Pellistri (66. De la Cruz), Suarez (66. Cavani), Nuňez (80. Canobbio). ). Trainer: Alonso. |
| You can find a summary of Friday’s program of the WC in Qatar HERE |
| Final table of group H: | |||||||
| 1. | Portugal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6:4 | 6 |
| 2. | Korea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4:4 | 4 |
| 3. | Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2:2 | 4 |
| 4. | Ghana | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5:7 | 3 |
