Friday serves the final instalments of group games at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and one particular encounter is expected to be a heated one.
Ghana take on Uruguay in Group H and both sides fully understand there is much more on the line than just qualification for the knockouts in the Middle East.
The West Africans and South Americans have met only once before, at the 2010 World Cup, in what was a now-famous clash in Johannesburg, South Africa. The sheer drama in that quarter-final will forever be inscribed in World Cup folklore.
(Photo: Getty Images)
12 years ago, Uruguay met Ghana in a high-stakes last-8 encounter with a spot in the semi-finals up for grabs. The teams couldn’t be separated, with a 1-1 scoreline after 120 minutes.
The men from Africa quite literally came within an arm’s reach of the semi-finals. Luis Suárez was shown a red card in extra-time for using his hands to obstruct a goalward header. Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent spot-kick and La Celeste went on to win the penalty shootout and advance to the semis, at the expense of a spirited and deserving Ghana outfit.
Now, at Qatar 2022, Ghana and Uruguay lock horns once more as the two sides meet on Friday. Despite just one previous – and infamous – meeting, this contest is charged with significant history and it should prove a very physical match-up at the Al Janoub Stadium.
The Black Stars are out for revenge, 12 years in the making, after a Suárez handball essentially denied them from becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semis.
Twelve years on since that controversial moment between Ghana and Uruguay at the 2010 #FIFAWorldCup, Luis Suarez was asked about it.
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 1, 2022
Here’s his response 👇
Not only are the Black Stars out to make amends for their shortcomings in 2010, they are also bidding to pip La Celeste and progress to the Round of 16 in Qatar.
As it stands, Ghana occupy 2nd place in Group H with a 2-point advantage over Uruguay. A draw should be enough for the West Africans to qualify for the last-16, provided Portugal avoid defeat to South Korea.
With 1 point from their opening two games, anything less than victory for Uruguay would send them packing from the group stage for the first time since 2002.
The South Americans have progressed to the knockouts at each of the last three editions of the World Cup after reaching the semis in South Africa, the last-16 in Brazil 2014, and the quarters last time out in Russia.
Uruguay are the only team yet to score a goal at Qatar 2022, having fashioned four shots on target in 180 minutes against South Korea and Portugal.
In the corresponding match at Education City Stadium, Portugal need just a single point to confirm themselves as winners of Group H. South Korea must win by a 2-goal margin if they are to have any chance of avoiding elimination from the groups.
Both matches kick-off simultaneously at 18H00 local time (15H00 GMT).
The bookies have Uruguay as 1.75 favourites to emerge triumphant, with Ghana 4.50 to win and advance from Group H; 3.80 for a draw. (Bet365)
