Qatar 2022: Black Stars Eliminated, But Drag Uruguay Along

Uruguay defeated age old rivals Ghana – two-nil in the last game of group H but La Celeste are out just like Ghana, due to results elsewhere, that saw South Korea defeat Portugal 2-1.

Uruguay started on a disadvantaged end while Ghana had the edge, ranked second after the second match day, and it was the Black Stars who started strongly.

First shot on target came through Jordan Ayew at the 15th minute which Rochet spilled. Kudus was quickest to the loose ball and his flick over Rochet meant the goalkeeper clattered the Ajax man. The referee awarded a penalty and who else, but Andre Ayew, the Black Stars skipper stepped up for the big occasion.

Another edition, in another country but same end result just like Asamoah Gyan in 2010, Ayew missed his spot kick – as Rochet went left and put a strong palm to parry it out.

7 minutes later it was Portugal on the attack after Amarteh was sloppy in possession. He was dispossessed by Nunez as the Liverpool man appeared one v one with Ati Zigi. Nunez tried a dink but a superb acrobatic recovery by Salisu kept the ball out.

Uruguay had their first goal in this World Cup through De Arrascaeta. He started the move by winning the ball on the halfway line and Pellistri sent in a cross in from the right. Suarez’s low shot was saved by Ati-Zigi, but it bounced over his arms and De Arrascaeta nodded it in at the far post for1-0 Uruguay – at the 26th minute.

De Arrascaeta doubled the money at the 32nd minute. Pellistri lifted the ball up and Nunez directed the way of Suarez who helped it onto De Arrascaeta. Arrascaeta had a quick glance up and fizzed his low shot towards goal. It sneaked under Ati-Zigi and into the back of the net for 2-0 Uruguay.

Kudus looked the silver lining in Ghana’s flat first half performance. Seidu cuts opened Uruguay’s midfield with his throughball, and Kudus spined to get to the edge of the D. He took aim from range, and it deflected wide for a corner with the clock reading 36 minutes.

By the start of the second half, Ghana made a double change. Jordan Ayew was the first to make way, with Sulemana coming on for him. And Andre Ayew, who missed the first-half penalty, was replaced by Bukari.

Ghana started the second half more lively and had the first chance.

Baba whipped in the ball from the left to pick out Bukari on the far side. He took a touch before drilling it across goal and Kudus stock out a leg to try and help it on target, but he couldn’t get there.

Uruguay had a penalty shout waved away. De Arrascaeta lifted the ball over the top for Nunez, who brought it down and tried to open up space for a shot. He’s clumsily bundled down by Amartey and the referee said he got the ball, and VAR confirmed.

Five minutes after the hour mark, Olivera made good progress down the left and he played a one-two with Vecino, who just touched it into Pellistri’s path. He took the shot first time but drilled it wide of the near post.

Uruguay opted for double changes. Pellistri was taken off, as De La Cruz came on for him. Suarez made way as he handed the captain’s armband onto Cavani.

At the 70th minute, Valverde was a long way out from goal but the ball bounced up nicely in front of him so he placed his laces through it. It was heading into the near bottom corner, but Ati-Zigi got down to push it away.

Kudus continued working through the middle. He weaved his way past three Uruguay players to open up space for a shot just outside the D. He snatched at it though and it went over the bar.

Otto Addo did two more substitutions in a big to find two goals. Inaki made for Semenyo, and Samed for Kyereh.

79 minutes in, Sulemana stretched to reach the ball, but it worked out well for Semenyo on the left of the box. He took the shot quickly, drilling it low across goal, but sent it wide of the far post.

There were an avalanche of chances in the last 10 minutes of the game. At the 89th minute, De La Cruz clipped a great cross into the near post and Cavani got between the defenders to thump a header towards goal. Ati-Zigi tipped it over the bar, but it wouldn’t have counted as the flag went up.

Baba kept the ball from going lifts a great cross into the box. Semenyo chested down before he fired on goal and Coates threw himself in front of it as he made a vital block.

Uruguay had learned the score of the other game at this point. La Celeste left spaces behind during Ghana’s attack. The ball fell to Gomez, who took on a shot from range, but Ati-Zigi went down to tip his low effort wide.

It was end to end as Rochet made a stop at the other end, moments later. . Ghana had a break on the counter and that time, Sulemana took aim, but the keeper got behind the ball. That chance put a cap to the game as both teams bowed out. South Korea sailed through as runners-up after a miraculous 2-1 win over Portugal. Ghana end bottom of the group, while Uruguay finish third runners-up.