Andre Ayew missed a crucial penalty and Ghana paid for that dearly as they were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup Group H match at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday to bow out in the competition.
However, there was a dramatic day in the other game as South Korea stunned Portugal 2-1 to finish second in the group, joining already group winners Portugal, at Education City Stadium at the same time.
Ghana’s penalty was given after it was reviewed by VAR after Mohamed Kudus was brought down by Sergio Rochet in the 21st minute. But Ayew stepped up and it was poorly taken and Rochet dived to his right to save it.
Uruguay punished the Ghanaians moments later. Suarez’s goal bound shot was palmed away by Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Daniel de Arrascaeta profited from an easy finish in the 26th minute to nod it in.
The same combination punished Ghana yet again. De Arrascaeta volleyed the second from Luis Suarez flick on six minutes later to double the score.
Nunez had a penalty when Daniel Amartey brought the Liverpool striker down, but it was reviewed by VAR and overturned the decision.
With Ghana crashing out, they couldn’t avenge and it meant that agony was revisited yet again.
Suarez and Ayew were the only players in both teams who started that quarter final match at FNB Stadium.
In 2010, Ghana were set to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. But Gyan hit the woodwork with a penalty in the last minute of extra time after Suarez had been sent off for pushing the ball away with his hands on the goalline.
It meant the game ended 1-1 and Uruguay went on to win a dramatic shootout, which Suarez celebrated wildly, and Uruguay won 4-2 on penalties.
Portugal finished top with six points after they lost to the Koreans. They came to this game after beating Ghana and Uruguay respectively.
Diogo Dalot picked out Ricardo Horta after six minute in the game to side foot it home. But the Koreans fought back to equalize after 27 minute through Kim Young-Gwon after Portugal failed to clear the second ball from the corner. Then Hwang Hee-Chan was picked out before beating Diogo Costa. This left Uruguayans stunned and more so Suarez on the bench after he was taken off in full tears.
