AL WAKRAH, Qatar (AP) — Uruguay needed to win to stay alive and they did their best Friday to advance to the World Cup round of 16, claiming a 2-0 victory over Ghana in Group H.
But a 2-1 win for South Korea over Portugal in the other game of the tie left them out. Hwang Hee-chan scored in stoppage time to give the South Koreans the ticket.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta, one of the players who had been ruled out by Diego Alonso at the beginning of the tournament, ignited the illusion of the Uruguayans with two goals with just six minutes difference in the first half.
But Hwang’s goal, announced on the Al Janoub stadium video scoreboard, brought sadness to the bench and to the hundreds of Uruguayan fans who dyed the stands in light blue. The greatest exponent was Luis Suárez, who could be seen crying on the bench.
Uruguay did not give up and unsuccessfully besieged Lawrence Ati Zigi’s goal, aware that a goal would give them a ticket to the next phase due to goal difference.
Sebastián Coates had the last chance when he finished off a pass from Edinson Cavani from the right outside the box in the last minutes of extra time.
Uruguay was only worth the victory after starting with a 0-0 draw against South Korea and losing 2-0 with Portugal.
In their fourth World Cup participation, Ghana was left last in the group by adding three points. Portugal reached the first position.
