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Ghana 0-2 Uruguay: Match report, player ratings, fan reaction & expert analysis

A first-half brace from Giorgian de Arrascaeta was not enough for the two-time World Cup winners to avoid elimination after South Korea’s heroic’s against Portugual


The final day of action in Group H at the 2022 World Cup provided late drama after Uruguay ran out 2-0 winners against Ghana in a rematch from twelve years ago, but neither side were able to advance into the round of 16 after South Korea’s late heroic’s in a comeback win against Portugal.

Ghana kicked off Friday sitting second in Group H with three points from two games. Uruguay, on the other hand, had just one point to its name. As a result, Ghana likely only needed a draw to make it into the round of 16, as long as South Korea did not beat Portugal by two or more goals in the other Group H clash. For Uruguay to qualify, they needed to pick up the win over the African outfit and hope Portugal beat South Korea.

The Black Stars nearly took the lead inside the first twenty minutes after breakout starlet Mohammed Kudus was judged to have been brought down in the area by goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, but the Uruguayan shot-stopper would make amends for the questionable call when he parried away André Ayew’s tame effort rather comfortably. It would prove decisive.

That miss would end up being decisive six minutes later after Giorgian de Arrascaeta headed home from inside two yards after Luis Suárez had his effort from close range parried away by Lawrence Ati-Zigi only for it to find the Flamengo winger free in the box to convert for Uruguay’s first goal of the tournament.

Uruguay would double their lead in the 32nd minute once again through De Arrascaeta after Ghana gave possession away cheaply in the middle third of the pitch before the two-time World Cup winners produced some lovely combination play before Suárez turned provider for the second time in the first half when he found his winger open in the box with a chipped bit of service into space for him to slam home on the volley past Ati-Zigi.

Ghana boss Otto Addo made two big changes at the half, removing both Jordan and André Ayew and replacing them with talented young winger Kamaldeen Sulemana and Osman Bukari.

La Celeste nearly earned a second penalty before VAR helped to cancel out the shout, and most of the second half saw Uruguay in control before a late surge from the Black Stars saw two chances nearly get them back into the thick of the fight. Stade Rennais sparkplug Kamaldeen Sulemana provided chaos down the left flank after coming on and eventually, Ghana would nearly benefit when Antoine Semenyo flashed his low effort just wide of Rochet’s far post when he wiggled free. Mohammed Kudus then unleashed a thunderous effort from range that was tipped just wide of the post to deny the Ghanaian starlet in much-improved play from Addo’s men.

As news filtered through the ground that South Korea had fought back against Portugal, the tempo of the match reached its zenith as Uruguay, who previously thought they were destined for the round of 16, now needed a third goal late on to secure advancement in the tournament. And that goal would never come, with Uruguay’s tepid performances in the first two group stage matches coming back to haunt them.



Ghana Player Ratings

  • Lawrence Ati-Zigi (GK): 7
  • Alidu Seidu (RB): 7
  • Daniel Amartey (CB): 6.5
  • Mohammed Salisu (CB): 6.5
  • Abdul-Rahman Baba (LB): 6.5
  • Thomas Partey (CM): 6.5
  • Salis Abdul Samed (CM): 6.5
  • André Ayew (CAM): 5.5
  • Inaki Williams (RW): 6
  • Jordan Ayew (LW): 6
  • Mohammed Kudus (CF): 7
  • Kamaldeen Sulemana (Sub): 6.5
  • Osman Bukari (Sub): 6
  • Antoine Semenyo (Sub): 6
  • Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Sub): 6
  • Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sub): 6

Uruguay Player Ratings

  • Sergio Rochet (GK): 8
  • Guillermo Varela (RB): 7
  • José Giménez (CB): 7
  • Sebastián Coates (CB): 6
  • Mathiás Olivera (LB): 7
  • Facundo Pellistri (RM): 6.5
  • Federico Valverde (CM): 6.5
  • Rodrigo Bentancur (CM): 7 -
  • Giorgian de Arrascaeta (LM): 8.5
  • Luis Suárez (RF): 8
  • Darwin Núñez (LF): 6.5
  • Matías Vecino (Sub): 6
  • Edinson Cavani (Sub): 6
  • Nicolás de la Cruz (Sub): 6
  • Maximiliano Gómez(Sub): 6
  • Augustín Canobbio (Sub): 6

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Andrew Thompson

US-based Football writer. German football guru with a wealth of experience in youth development and analysis. Data aficionado. Happily championing the notion that Americans have a knowledgeable voice in the beautiful game.


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