Uruguay beat Ghana but crashed out of the World Cup on goal as they finished third in Group H behind South Korea despite Luis Suarez’s heroics.
Suarez was instrumental in both of Uruguay’s goals, and the 35-year-old was in tears after the final whistle, in what was his final international.
Both goals were scored by Giorgio de Arasqueta – the first a close-range header, the second a superb volley.
Uruguay’s players reacted angrily at full-time, confronting the referee and appearing to tussle with an assistant after failing to award Darwin Nunez a penalty after coming on with Alido Seidu.
In the other Group H game, South Korea’s 2-1 victory over group winners Portugal was enough to move them into second place.
Uruguay and South Korea both finished with a goal difference of zero, but South Korea scored four goals in their three games, while Uruguay scored two.
Suarez, whose handball was instrumental in sending his side ahead on this occasion in their last meeting 12 years ago, saw his shot fall into the path of De Arrascaeta for the opener, before The experienced former Liverpool striker followed it up with a superb assist. the second.
There was early penalty drama when Ghanaian striker Andre Ayew saw his spot kick saved by Sergio Rochet for 0-0. The penalty was awarded by the referee after reviewing the goalkeeper’s foul on Mohammad Quddus on the pitch-side monitor.
Agony for Uruguay
There was one word floating around in the build-up to this game – “revenge”.
Ghana came into the match with hopes of avenging a defeat from 2010, when Suarez handled the ball on the line and was sent off, before Isamoah Gyan celebrated missing the resulting penalty. .
Ghana lost in the shootout that followed, and this time there was plenty of drama.
2-0 up, Uruguay thought they were progressing to the last 16, but news of South Korea’s comeback against Portugal filtered through.
Suarez, who came off for Edinson Cavani on 65 minutes, sat on the bench in disbelief as he was informed of the final result in the second game.
At full-time, the emotional striker was comforted on the pitch by captain Diego Godin – the two veterans probably last seen in a Uruguay shirt.
Ghana should have taken the lead, but like Guyane in 2010, Andre Ayew failed to convert and it proved costly.
Otto Addo’s men needed some encouragement in the second period but were unable to find a way through the Uruguayan’s pressed defense as Kadus saw a low drive by Rochette go wide late on.
Uruguay had scored twice before the break and pushed for a winner as time expired, but Federico Valverde’s effort was thwarted by Lawrence Etzigi, who made a save to keep out Cavani’s header. Great stop too.
