Ghana 0-2 Uruguay: Player ratings as Black Stars & La Celeste bow out of World Cup
By Sean Walsh
Ghana were unable to avenge their 2010 defeat to Uruguay, falling 2-0 to La Celeste on matchday three of the 2022 World Cup group stage in a result that saw both sides eliminated.
South Korea's late win against Portugal meant that they finish above Uruguay on goals scored on a manic day of action in Qatar.
After a cagey beginning, Darwin Nunez nearly bundled his way through to goal after 12 minutes when set through by Giorgian De Arrascaeta, but Mohammed Salisu and Alidu Seidu recovered in time to steal the ball from under his feet.
Moments later, a bobbling strike from Jordan Ayew was spilled by Sergio Rochet and into the path of Mohammed Kudus, who was then brought to the ground by the Uruguayan goalkeeper. Andre Ayew had been blocking his view when the initial shot came in and so the offside flag was raised, but after a VAR review, he was judged onside and Ghana were awarded a penalty.
The Black Stars' forwards formed a circle around the penalty spot to prevent their Uruguay counterparts from scuffing it (Nunez still tried to and got booked for doing so), but Andre Ayew - part of the Ghana contingent of 2010 - missed, with Rochet atoning for his error and pushing the awful effort away.
Uruguay nearly went in front back down the other end when Nunez robbed Amartey of possession and dinked Lawrence Ati-Zigi, only for Salisu to retreat and clear the ball off the line.
And La Celeste did take the lead with their next attack. A cross from Nunez evaded Salisu and Seidu, finding a wide open Luis Suarez. His scuffed shot was parried by Ati-Zigi, but De Arrascaeta ghosted in behind Salisu to nod the ball over the line.
They didn't have to wait too long to add their second, doubling their advantage just after the half hour mark. Facundo Pellistri's high pass was flicked on by the head of Nunez and volleyed to the left by Suarez, where De Arrascaeta was waiting and volleyed beyond Ati-Zigi.
Otto Addo made two changes at half-time to try and change Ghana's fortunates, with substitute Osman Bukari firing wide shortly after taking to the pitch.
Uruguay were incensed that they didn't receive a penalty - even following an on-pitch VAR review - when Amartey clumsily went through Nunez to try and win the ball back.
Pellistri squandered a gilt-edged chance to add a third from around 12 yards out, finding only the side-netting, while a thunderous volley from Federico Valverde was punched clear by Ati-Zigi.
Ghana pushed for a late goal to try and save their campaign. Antoine Semenyo dragged a shot wide from a tight angle before Kudus had a searing strike tipped wide by Rochet.
With five minutes remaining, the mood in the stadium drastically changed as news filtered through that South Korea had taken the lead against Portugal, moving them above Uruguay in the standings on goals scored.
La Celeste went in search of another strike which would send them through and came close to finding one when Edinson Cavani's header was pushed over the top by the outstretched Ati-Zigi, who hurt himself making the save.
South Korea's win was confirmed as eight minutes of added time came into effect between Ghana and Uruguay, with the latter appealing for a penalty once more when Cavani was felled by Seidu. Again, their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Ati-Zigi denied a Maxi Gomez effort from range before Kamaldeen Sulemana forced another instinctive save out of Rochet in a frenzied period.
Sebastian Coates fired a cross from Cavani with the game's final chance and both sides were eliminated at the full-time whistle.
Ghana player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Lawrence Ati-Zigi - 4/10 - Didn't cover himself in glory for either of De Arrascaeta's goals.
RB: Alidu Seidu - 3/10 - Started brightly and particularly looked good on the ball but lost the run of De Arrascaeta twice. How about some defending, Alidu?
CB: Daniel Amartey - 2/10 - A total car crash from start to finish. Couldn't defend properly at any level and was lucky not to have conceded a penalty.
CB: Mohammed Salisu - 4/10 - He wasn't as self-destructive as Amartey, but the Southampton defender was still pretty bad.
LB: Baba Rahman - 5/10 - Must have been looking across his backline wondering 'what the hell is going on over there?'.
CM: Thomas Partey - 4/10 - Didn't bring his usual presence and aggression off the ball when Ghana needed it.
CM: Salis Abdul Samed - 6/10 - Dutifully broke up play and won back possession.
RM: Mohammed Kudus - 6/10 - Won the penalty and looked lively when in possession, but spent long parts of the game on the periphery of it.
AM: Andre Ayew - 2/10 - His penalty was woeful and it dearly cost his country.
LM: Jordan Ayew - 4/10 - Gave the ball away in the lead up to a third goal this tournament.
CF: Inaki Williams - 3/10 - Another poor performance leading the line from the former Spain international.
Substitutes
SUB: Kamaldeen Sulemana (46' for J. Ayew) - 6/10 - Clearly blessed with quick feet and great technique but didn't get involved enough.
SUB: Osman Bukari (46' for A. Ayew) - 5/10 - Provided a shot in the arm after his arrival but faded.
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 - Ghana played without intensity and organisation, which stems from the head coach.
Uruguay player ratings (4-4-2)
GK: Sergio Rochet - 7/10 - Saved a penalty and that swung the game but looked very timid claiming crosses and coming off his line.
RB: Guillermo Varela - 6/10 - Defended with much more assurance than he did against Portugal. Delivery wasn't always spot on but he was a useful body.
CB: Jose Gimenez - 8/10 - Knew when to step up and play higher. Has produced some impressive displays this tournament despite Uruguay's early woes.
CB: Sebastian Coates - 7/10 - Looked wise and calm as the side's most experienced centre-back in Diego Godin's absence.
LB: Mathias Olivera - 5/10 - Was on skates quite a bit when Kudus had the ball, but mercifully for him this wasn't too often.
RM: Facundo Pellistri - 4/10 - Out of his depth, but that's not necessarily his fault. It's easy to see that he hasn't played for Manchester United this season, but perhaps also why he hasn't too.
CM: Federico Valverde - 7/10 - More industrious than beautiful today but he did his job for the team to a high standard as per.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur - 5/10 - Brought energy and bite in midfield before being brought off with an injury in the first half.
LM: Giorgian De Arrascaeta - 9/10 - Touted as one of the possible breakout stars of the 2018 World Cup, he finally stepped up this time around, scoring twice.
CF: Luis Suarez - 8/10 - After looking leggy in Uruguay's first two games, Suarez rolled back the years with a dominant display up front.
CF: Darwin Nunez - 6/10 - Another chaotic performance where it was hard to tell if Nunez was helping his team or hurting them. Unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty.
Substitutes
SUB: Matias Vecino (34' for Bentancur) - 7/10 - While Bentancur was full of aggression as Uruguay raced into their lead, Vecino slowed the game down and dictated the tempo.
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 - Uruguay played well but he used up all his substitutes too early given Uruguay's precarious position.