Black Stars exit 2022 World Cup
The Black Stars exited the 2022 World Cup at the group stage on Friday after suffering a 2-0 loss to Uruguay in their final Group H game.
Two goals from Giorgian de Arrascaeta and an inspired performance from Ghana’s old enemy, Luis Suárez, saw Uruguay pick up the win but crash out of the group after South Korea beat Portugal.
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The Black Stars will rue their missed chances, including Andre Ayew’s missed penalty, with the game still goalless.
Ghana failed to make it to the knockout stage for the second straight tournament, but with a better record than Brazil 2014, where they failed to win a single game.
Prior to the start of the tournament, not many expected Otto Addo’s side to make it out of a group that included Portugal, South Korea and the Uruguayans.
However, a decent performance against Portugal and a win over South Korea left the Black Stars in a dream position ahead of their encounter with old foes Uruguay.
For the Stars to advance to the Round of 16, they needed to avoid losing against Uruguay and at least match South Korea’s performance against Portugal.
Kudus Mohammed’s foul in the area provided them with this opportunity.
The penalty was awarded after a VAR review, but Sergio Rochet turned aside Andre Ayew’s feeble attempt.
Portugal had taken the lead against South Korea in the other game, leaving the Black Stars needing only a point to qualify.
Disaster struck, however, when de Arrascaeta put the Uruguayans ahead.
South Korea also found an equaliser against Portugal; two scorelines which would see both Portugal and Uruguay go through.
Ghana’s task became even more difficult when de Arrascaeta scored a second, assisted by Luis Suárez.
The Black Stars now needed two goals, a task that seemed thankless as the players made their way off the pitch at half-time.
At the beginning of the second half, the Ayew brothers went off for Kamaldeen Sulemana and Osman Bukari who added some bite to the Ghanaian attack.
Kudus Mohammed almost pulled one back for Ghana, but could not get on the end of a driven ball into the box despite his desperate slide.
The Uruguayans came close to adding to their lead a couple of times, but things were largely comfortable for the South Americans until South Korea took the lead against Portugal.
The results mean South Korea go through, along with the group winners, Portugal.
The Black Stars now turn their attention to the following AFCON and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Source: citinewsroom.com
Black Stars exit 2022 World Cup