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Friday, March 29, 2024  
18 Ramadan 1445  

De Arrascaeta double in vain as Uruguay win fails to take them through

South American side must win to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16
Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice as Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 on Friday but it was not enough to keep them in the World Cup after South Korea pipped them to the Group H runners-up spot with victory over Portugal.

Ghana, who famously missed an extra-time spot kick in a quarter-final against Uruguay in South Africa 12 years ago, spurned the chance to take the lead in the 21st minute when Andre Ayew’s tame penalty was easily saved by Sergio Rochet.

Uruguay made them pay with their first goals of the tournament as De Arrascaeta headed the ball over the line from close-range after a shot from Luis Suarez in the 26th minute and doubled their lead with a superb volley after Suarez was again involved in the buildup six minutes later.

The win lifted Uruguay to third place on four points, the same as South Korea, who squeaked through with more goals scored in the tournament after netting a late winner in a 2-1 victory over Portugal. Ghana finished bottom of the group with three points.

As expected, Suarez, who famously saved a certain goal against Ghana with a handball in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final, comes in for fellow veteran Edinson Cavani as one of three personnel changes to Diego Alonso’s team.

Captain and centre-back Diego Godin and midfielder Matias Vecino drop to the bench as Alonso plumps for a more attacking 4-3-3 formation with right winger Facundo Pellistri and attacking midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta included.

Both Pellistri and De Arrascaeta impressed off the bench in Uruguay’s 2-0 defeat to Portugal last time out.

Ghana coach Otto Addo makes two changes with full-backs Tariq Lamptey and Gideon Mensah making way for Alidu Seidu and Baba Rahman respectively.

Suarez, who captains Uruguay, was dismissed for his handball 12 years ago but Ghana missed the subsequent penalty and Uruguay then triumphed in a shoot-out.

Ghana captain Andre Ayew once again features alongside brother Jordan Ayew in an attacking line-up.

Uruguay must win to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16 while a draw may be enough for Ghana to join group heavyweights Portugal in the knock-out stage.

Starting line-ups:

Ghana (4-2-3-1)

Lawrence Ati Zigi; Alidu Seidu, Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Baba Rahman; Salis Abdul Samed, Thomas Partey; Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew (capt), Jordan Ayew; Inaki Williams

Coach: Otto Addo (GHA)

Uruguay (4-3-3)

Sergio Rochet; Guillermo Varela, Jose Maria Gimenez, Sebastian Coates, Mathias Olivera; Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta; Facundo Pellistri, Luis Suarez (capt), Darwin Nunez

Coach: Diego Alonso (URU)

Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER)

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