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Uruguay won their duel against Ghana (2-0) but South Korea’s victory over Portugal (2-1) deprived La Céleste of the round of 16. The Black Stars completely missed their match when a draw was enough for them.
“La Celeste never dies”. The banner of the Uruguayan supporters present at the Al-Janoub stadium was not premonitory. In unfavorable waivers before the match, Uruguay did the job well against Ghana (2-0), but are deprived of eighths due to South Korea’s victory over Portugal (2-1).
Before this decisive match, André Ayew claimed to have left behind him the memory of 2010 and this quarter-final when Uruguay had deprived Ghana of a historic half thanks to a small trickery by Luis Suarez: the striker had saved a hand goal, was sent off for his gesture, before Gyan missed the penalty that could have changed the fate of Africa in the World Cup.
Ghana Missed Penalty
André Ayew is certainly the only survivor of this already distant era, but the Ghanaian people have not forgotten and are waiting for revenge. Enough to place heavy responsibilities on their players, who seem to bear the brunt of history at kick-off.
Too timid, the Black Stars are eaten in all their duels with Celeste. The Uruguayans are pushing forward. Against the run of play, however, Kudus gets a penalty. Ghana thinks they have done the hardest part but André Ayew misses it. He will have seemed paralyzed by the ghosts of the past when shooting (20th).
Uruguay has no moods. La Céleste takes advantage of a ball lost in the 25 meters by Amartey. Quickly found, Nunez tries to sting his shot from the right. But Salisu returns in time and releases the ball (24th). And, after a loss of ball from Jordan Ayew in midfield, Pellistri brings the ball up and crosses towards Suarez. Ati Zigi can only deflect … on De Arrascaeta who converts with a header (26th). The Uruguayan public capsizes with happiness and finally hears “La Cumbia Pa’ la seleccion”, the song saluting the goals of Uruguay, for the first time in the competition.
Remote Elimination
De Arrascaeta, hero of the match, doubled the bet a few moments later with a volley from the right (32nd, 0-1). Ghana is KO standing, like Otto Addo, the coach, who looks lost on his sideline. However, he made the strong choice to take out the Ayew brothers at halftime. Uruguay meanwhile adopted a new tactic: leave the game to their opponent and stay solid behind, like Coates and Gimenez.
It continues to neutralize Ghana and is very close to further increasing its advantage. Ideally launched in depth, Nunez extends the ball with a control of the chest. In the surface, he is mowed down by Amartey. The referee does not whistle but consults the VAR and confirms his decision (57th). Rare Ghanaian bursts: Kudus takes his chance from afar (70th) and almost steals the ball from Rochet (71st).
However, over the minutes, Sulemana is gaining momentum on his left side. What make the Uruguayans tremble until the end. Especially since at the same time, South Korea scores a second goal in Portugal and steals the second qualifying place. The turn of the Uruguayan public to be haggard in the stands when the score is displayed on the giant screen. La Celeste is therefore pushing to overturn the goal difference in her favor. But Cavani’s head is diverted by a high-class parade from Ali Zigi (89th). The Ghanaian goalkeeper makes it a point of honor in extra time to sink Uruguay with Ghana.
Less than 24 hours after Germany, it is another bitter victory which concludes Group H. Uruguay returns home, just like Ghana, capped on the wire by South Korea. You had to wake up earlier to qualify.
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