On matchday three of the 2022 World Cup group stage, Ghana lost 2-0 to La Celeste, failing to avenge their loss to Uruguay in 2010. As a result, both teams were eliminated.
After a hectic day of competition in Qatar, South Korea finished ahead of Uruguay in goals scored thanks to a late victory over Portugal.
Darwin Nunez almost scored after 12 minutes when Giorgian De Arrascaeta put him through, but Mohammed Salisu and Alidu Seidu recovered in time to steal the ball from under his feet. The first ten minutes were cagey.
Later, Mohammed Kudus was brought to the ground by Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet after a bobbling Jordan Ayew shot was spilled by him and fell into his path. The initial shot had Andre Ayew blocking his view, so the offside flag was raised. However, after a VAR review, he was found to be onside, and Ghana was given a penalty.
The Black Stars’ forwards formed a circle around the penalty spot to block their Uruguayan opponents from scuffing it (Nunez still attempted to do so and was booked for it), but Andre Ayew, a member of Ghana’s 2010 delegation, missed, with Rochet atoning for his error by deflecting the terrible attempt away.
When Nunez stripped Amartey of the ball and dinked Lawrence Ati-Zigi down the other end, Uruguay almost took the lead, but Salisu retreated and cleared the ball off the line.
La Celeste’s subsequent assault did give them the upper hand. Nunez’s cross found an unguarded Luis Suarez after eluding Salisu and Seidu. Ati-Zigi parried his errant shot, but De Arrascaeta slipped in behind Salisu to nod the ball over the goal line.
At halftime, Otto Addo made two substitutions in an effort to improve Ghana’s fortunes. Substitute Osman Bukari missed the target shortly after entering the game.
Amartey clumsily went through Nunez to try and win the ball back, and Uruguay was furious they weren’t given a penalty – even after an on-pitch VAR review.
Ghana player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Lawrence Ati-Zigi – 4/10
RB: Alidu Seidu – 3/10
CB: Daniel Amartey – 2/10
CB: Mohammed Salisu – 4/10
LB: Baba Rahman – 5/10
CM: Thomas Partey – 4/10
CM: Salis Abdul Samed – 6/10
RM: Mohammed Kudus – 6/10
AM: Andre Ayew – 2/10
LM: Jordan Ayew – 4/10
CF: Inaki Williams – 3/10
Substitutes
SUB: Kamaldeen Sulemana (46′ for J. Ayew) – 6/10
SUB: Osman Bukari (46′ for A. Ayew) – 5/10
SUB: Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (72′ for Abdul Samed) -5 /10
SUB: Antoine Semenyo (72′ for Williams) – 5/10
SUB: Abdul Issahaku (90′ for Kudus) – N/A
Manager
Otto Addo – 3/10
Uruguay player ratings (4-4-2)
GK: Sergio Rochet – 7/10
RB: Guillermo Varela – 6/10
CB: Jose Gimenez – 8/10
CB: Sebastian Coates – 7/10
LB: Mathias Olivera – 5/10
RM: Facundo Pellistri – 4/10
CM: Federico Valverde – 7/10
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 5/10
LM: Giorgian De Arrascaeta – 9/10
CF: Luis Suarez – 8/10
CF: Darwin Nunez – 6/10
Substitutes
SUB: Matias Vecino (34′ for Bentancur) – 7/10
SUB: Edinson Cavani (66′ for Suarez) – 6/10
SUB: Nicolas de la Cruz (66′ for Pellistri) – 5/10
SUB: Maxi Gomez (80′ for Nunez) – N/A
SUB: Agustin Canobbio (80′ for De Arrascaeta) – N/A
Manager
Diego Alonso – 6/10