The unexpected qualification of South Korea, the failures of Ayew and Ronaldo… find the tops and flops of the last day of Group H.
TOPS
South Korea will seek their achievement
Asian Football Day. In the aftermath of Japan’s exploit against Spain (2-1), South Korea was well inspired to repeat such a performance this Friday (2-1). According to a stunning scenario, similar although much more theatrical, captain Heung-Min Son launched Hwang Hee-Chan for the qualification at the end of the suspense (90 + 1). A victory as deserved behind the exciting performance of the Koreans in the second half. Never resigned, when everyone thought they were off the list, the Koreans took advantage of Portuguese complacency to find great happiness and continue their journey in Qatar.
De Arrascaeta has unlocked the counter of the Celeste
We were expecting Luis Suarez, we had Giorgian De Arrascaeta. Exemplary mobility on his left side, the Uruguayan number 10 first stood out in his register, launching Darwin Nunez in depth (22nd) before folding Ghana all by himself. Well placed to score in the empty goal (26th), he placed a perfect recovery after an exceptional collective movement (32nd) to knock out Ghana (2-0). A double that he long believed to be decisive.
Read alsoWorld Cup: in vain, Uruguay still causes misery in Ghana
Suarez had done it all
Great executioner of Ghana in 2010, the captain of the Celeste will have played the role of the “Villain” again. If he did not score, he contributed by seeing his shot deflected on the first goal before being on the pass, majestically, on the second. Boosted, he constantly claimed the ball (9 balls received in attack) and was often irresistible, as on this small bridge before the break (45th). Warned to save time (60th), he was still Ghana’s poison before leaving to an ovation (65th). Half an hour later, we will find him in tears, shocked by South Korea, which will have precipitated the end of his history with the World Cup.
FLOPS
Ayew caught up in history
Gyan Asamoah in 2010, André Ayew in 2022. Like his captain in South Africa, the former Marseillais missed a penalty against Uruguay and caused Ghana to leave the road in spite of himself. Even if the moment seemed less decisive (20th), the outcome is the same as in 2010. And Ayew is directly involved. A curious momentum and a very timid strike, a penalty shot certainly worse than Gyan at the time. A few minutes later, Uruguay struck twice (26th, 32nd), thus shortening the Black Stars’ return to the big stage. Appearing marked by this failure, Ayew will then come out at the break.
Ronaldo head elsewhere
The ordeal lasted an hour. Aligned at the forefront of a bis team with a view to taking care of its planetary statistics, the captain of Portugal appeared completely lost. Far from the debates on the opener (5th), he stood out … at his expense before the break. Checked from close range when he was offside by several meters (30th), he will then sink, by stubbornness as on this hasty countered strike (38th) or by clumsiness, as on this diving header off target (42nd ). His frustration on a shot from Dalot (41st) did not encourage many people to ask for him, nor did his placement (three times offside). All before leaving, logically frustrated after a match unworthy of his status (64th).
