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Ghana vs Uruguay LIVE: World Cup 2022 final score and result with Luis Suarez in tears as Uruguay crash out

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice as Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 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 build-up six minutes later, although he would be in tears on the bench by full-time.

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.

Relive the action with our live blog below or relive South Korea vs Portugal live HERE:

Ghana vs Uruguay

  • Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 in the Group H World Cup decider but both teams crash out

  • Luis Suarez left in tears on the Uruguay bench after what is likely his last World Cup match

  • FULL-TIME! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

  • 81’ - SAVE! Rochet pushes Kudus’ effort round the post (GHA 0-2 URU)

  • 66’ - CLOSE! Pellistri can only find side-netting with glorious chance (GHA 0-2 URU)

  • 46’ - CLOSE! Bukari fires just wide shortly after coming on (GHA 0-2 URU)

  • 32’ - GOAL! Gorgeous volley by De Arrascaeta makes it two (GHA 0-2 URU)

  • 26’ - GOAL! De Arrascaeta nods into an empty net after Suarez effort saved (GHA 0-1 URU)

  • 22’ - OFF THE LINE! Salisu clears Nunez’s shot off the line (GHA 0-0 URU)

  • 20’ - MISSED PENALTY! Ayew’s weak effort is saved by Rochet (GHA 0-0 URU)

Luis Suarez sent crashing out of World Cup as Ghana get revenge but not progress

17:37 , Luke Baker

It was put to Luis Suarez that he is seen as “the devil himself” in Ghana, his role in Uruguay’s infamous quarter-final win over them 12 years ago still as searingly controversial now as it was back then. A country back home, he was told, was desperate to retire him here in Qatar, to bring, at last, a measure of retribution and revenge against him for his crime against them, writes Ben Burrows at the Al Janoub Stadium

Fast forward 24 hours and Suarez is indeed going home as they so wanted, his career at this very top level almost certainly over for good. They, though, are joining him, South Korea’s last-gasp win over Portugal, sending both of these teams crashing out, the result here at Al Janoub one of mutually assured destruction.

Two goals from Giorgian de Arrascaeta secured the victory Uruguay needed to have any chance of qualifying. That they would need a third wasn’t apparent until the last, Hwang Hee-chan’s stoppage time goal scored less than 30km away proving more crucial than any scored here.

This World Cup journey is at end for both of these teams, the 2-0 victory for La Celeste not enough as Korea instead advance by the barest of margins behind Portugal.

For Suarez, heartbroken and helpless on the bench, it was far from the final act he had hoped for, or one for so long here he had promised to deliver.

Read the rest of Ben’s report here:

Luis Suarez sent crashing out of World Cup as Ghana get revenge but not progress

Report from the other Group H game: Hwang Hee-Chan strikes dramatic winner to send South Korea through after beating Portugal

17:31 , Luke Baker

Just as the PA system announced six minutes of stoppage time at the Education City Stadium, Son Heung-Min’s wait was finally over. For the previous ninety, he had barely had a chance to do what he does best and run at a broken and splintered defence. Now, with half of it caught upfield for a set-piece, finally, here was his chance, writes Mark Critchley in Doha.

Son burst away, darting towards Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, yet even his furious pace was not at full pelt after a gruelling final game in Group F that had appeared headed for a draw. White shirts began to crowd him. He had run into traffic. But thankfully, he had Hwang Hee-Chan in support.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward’s late finish and Uruguay’s mere two-goal victory over Ghana - eventually confirmed five minutes or so after the sound of the final whistle, to a joyous Korean huddle in the centre circle of the pitch - was enough for Asia’s most successful footballing nation and its biggest star to reach the last-16.

Son did not score the last-gasp goal that sent South Korea to the knockout stages of a World Cup for only the third time in their history - he is still waiting for his first in Qatar - but given his tears of joy at full time, you imagine he will remember this as the most important assist of his career.

Hwang strikes dramatic late winner to send South Korea through after beating Portugal

Luis Suarez endures rollercoaster of emotions as Uruguay suffer cruel World Cup exit

17:24 , Luke Baker

The devilish grin painted across his face in the first half soon turned to sheer panic and then despair as Luis Suarez processed Uruguay’s fate. Out of the World Cup on goals scored, to the delight of South Korea, Suarez was agonisingly close to one last inspiring performance, writes Jack Rathborn.

The divisive forward had earlier cackled in delight after inspiring a two-goal lead, thrilled to play the role of the “devil” at the expense of Ghana once more. But that joy would turn sour after Hwang Hee-Chan’s late, late winner for South Korea, who usurped La Celeste to finish behind Portugal in Group H.

For so long Uruguay’s saviour, Suarez had delivered when most had dismissed him as merely an enigmatic presence in a camp between generations, having hopelessly toiled away against South Korea and Portugal.

Goalless and desperate for three points, Diego Alonso pinned his hopes on Suarez one last time. Having made a career of tormenting opponents with his belligerent workrate, Suarez was forced into Plan B with his legs betraying him.

Luis Suarez endures rollercoaster of emotions in cruel World Cup exit

Suarez in tears

17:21 , Luke Baker

If you missed Luis Suarez in tears after seeing Uruguay exit the World Cup...

 (EPA)
(EPA)

Ghana vs Uruguay player ratings: Giorgian de Arrascaeta shines but both teams head home

17:19 , Luke Baker

Uruguay suffered late heartache as they exited the World Cup despite winning 2-0 against Ghana.

A missed first-half penalty by Andre Ayew ultimately proved the African side’s best chance of progression, with Giorgian de Arrascaeta scoring twice in quick succession thereafter at the other end to take the game away from them.

But South Korea nabbing a late winner against Portugal meant both teams needed another very late goal of their own - two in Ghana’s case - and the game became wildly open in the closing stages.

Edinson Cavani thought he should have had a late penalty himself and then spurned a shooting chance, as both nations ultimately go home early.

Here are the player ratings from the final Group H game:

Ghana vs Uruguay player ratings: De Arrascaeta shines but both teams head home

Ghana haunted by Uruguay again as World Cup history repeats itself

17:13 , Luke Baker

On paper, Ghana could not have asked for a better chance against Uruguay, writes Jamie Braidwood. As Andre Ayew stood over the penalty spot, history was there to be rewritten. It was the moment Ghana dreamed of: the chance, perhaps not to heal the scars of Johannesburg, but to move on and leave them behind. The opportunity to knock Uruguay out of the World Cup was one that was raised when the group stage draw was made months, for it to arrive when their own progress was on the line added a sense of ambition to their lust for revenge.

On paper, a penalty, from 12 yards, at 0-0, was as clear an opportunity as you could imagine.

But this was not just any penalty, and this was not just any World Cup fixture. Ghana had not been denied a goal this time, unlike when Luis Suarez punched the ball off the line 12 years ago. Mohammed Kudus was instead taken down by the Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet when he was running out of pitch, close to the byline. The end result was the same. A Ghanaian stood with the ball, facing a Uruguay goalkeeper.

Ayew was an unused substitute that night in Johannesburg, watching on as Asamoah Gyan clipped the crossbar, and the chance to reach a historic World Cup semi-final slipped from their grasp. Suarez would have been yards away. Ayew may even have heard his yelps as he celebrated in glee after his red card went unpunished. The Uruguay striker had been cast as “the devil himself” before this Group H decider - he has haunted Ghana ever since, as much as Gyan’s miss.

Ghana haunted by Uruguay again as World Cup history repeats itself

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

17:10 , Luke Baker

A deflated atmosphere here as both teams crash out. Luis Suarez was in tears on the bench when he found out Hwang Hee-chan had put South Korea in front and then at full-time when Uruguay’s exit was confirmed

 (EPA)
(EPA)
 (EPA)
(EPA)

FULL-TIME! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

17:04 , Luke Baker

It’s over! Both teams are out as South Korea go through. Heartbreak and Luis Suarez is in tears on the bench.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

17:03 , Luke Baker

90+10 mins: De La Cruz hits it... On target but saved easily.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

17:03 , Luke Baker

90+9mins: Gomez fouled. Last-chance saloon for Uruguay about 25 yards out. Have to hit this free-kick

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

17:02 , Luke Baker

90+8 mins: One last chance for Uruguay? A hopeful ball smashed forward runs harmlessly through to Ati-Zigi. We’ve passed the eight minute-mark of injury time. There were only eight minutes signalled.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

17:01 , Luke Baker

90+7 mins: CLOSE! Cavani with some space on the right, he plays the ball across the box to Coates - of all people up there - but under pressure from the defender, his shot squirms wide.

Kudus taken off for Ghana as Issahaku comes on. 60 seconds left.

SAVE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

17:00 , Luke Baker

90+6 mins: Now it’s Rochet who pulls off a good save! Sulemana thumps one at goal from 20-odd yards and Rochet is strong to his left. Ghana need two goals, remember. Uruguay just one.

SAVE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:59 , Luke Baker

90+5 mins: This is end to end now! A brilliant block at one end as Ghana pour men forward before, at the other end, Ati-Zigi brilliantly down to his left to save from Maxi Gomez.

Tips it behind for a corner, which comes to nothing. Breathless stuff!

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:58 , Luke Baker

90+3 mins: Uruguay lump a free-kick forward but eventually it runs through to Ati-Zigi in the Ghana goal. Five minutes of added time left.

South Korea 2-1 Portugal

16:55 , Luke Baker

It’s all over in the other game. Hwang Hee-chan has won it late on for South Korea and as it stands, Korea are going through.

There are 6 minutes left and Uruguay need a goal to go through instead.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:54 , Luke Baker

90 mins: There’s 8 MINUTES of added time here. Ghana need two goals to go through, Uruguay need one goal - otherwise both are heading out.

SAVE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:53 , Luke Baker

89 mins: Uruguay pour forward and WHAT A SAVE from Ati-Zigi. De La Cruz dinks in a cross to Cavani six yards out but Ati-Zigi brilliantly tips the header over the bar. How has he stopped that?

Ah, looks like Cavani was offside, not that Ati-Zigi would have known that. The goalkeeper lands awkwardly on his neck and shoulder - it looks painful. He seems to be ok after being checked out by the physio though.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:51 , Luke Baker

87 mins: Everything has changed here. Both teams looking for goals now. Both teams currently going out. Uruguay have taken off Suarez and Nunez, remember.

Coates gets a yellow card for bringing down Sulemana after some good skill. Sulemana then also booked. Free-kick in a dangerous position but Kyereh’s cross is too far and goes out of play before Salisu can get there.

South Korea vs Portugal

16:49 , Luke Baker

OH MY WORD! They’ve done it! South Korea have scored!

Hwang Hee-chan makes it 2-1 to the Koreans against Portugal in injury time and Korea are going THROUGH on goals scored ahead of Uruguay.

Uruguay need a goal here now. DRAMA!

South Korea vs Portugal

16:48 , Luke Baker

Ghana need two goals here, remember, and time is running out somewhat. Uruguay currently heading through but a goal for South Korea in the other match - where they’re currently 1-1 with Portugal would send the Asians through on goals scored...

That game is into six minutes of added time

SAVE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:46 , Luke Baker

81 mins: Really good save by Rochet to keep it at 2-0. Uruguay lose the ball in a dangerous postion, it falls to Kudus who takes a touch to get the ball out form under his feet and fizzes a shot goalwards from about 20 yards. It’s heading into the bottom corner until Rochet springs to his right to push it wide - good goalkeeping.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:45 , Luke Baker

80 mins: De Arrascaeta and Nunez are subbed off for Uruguay. The former’s two goals might just have sent his side into the last 16

Maxi Gomez and Agustin Canobbio on in their place.

CHANCE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:43 , Luke Baker

79 mins: Ghana are probing without creating anything gilt-edged. Sulemana turns his full-back inside out but the clipped cross is well cleared.

But then there’s a real CHANCE! A lucky ricochet comes the way of Semenyo in the box, to the left of the goal and he goes for the far corner but pulls his shot wide.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:40 , Luke Baker

75 mins: Sulemana wins a corner for Ghana with a bit of trickery down the left. They need to make the most of these sort of opportunities. This one is cleared and Uruguay break but good defending by Amartey on Nunez to snuff out the danger

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:37 , Luke Baker

71 mins: We haven’t seen enough from Kudus in this second half - he’s Ghana’s most likely source of a breakthrough. He finally works himself a bit of space about 20 yards out but slashes at the shot and it flies high and wide.

A couple more substitutes for Ghana as Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and Antoine Semenyo are on for Inaki Williams and Salis Abdul Samed.

SAVE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:35 , Luke Baker

69 mins: Oooh, that could have gone wrong for Ati-Vigi. Valverde volleys a dipping shot from outside the area that awkwardly bounces in front of the Ghana goalkeeper but he gets his body behind the ball and pushes it away. He had to keep his eye on that

CHANCE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:33 , Luke Baker

68 mins: Maybe set-pieces can get Ghana back into this? They win a corner and it’s not cleared by Uruguay. The ball falls for Partey but his touch is heavy as he tries to bring it down about eight yards out and it runs through to Rochet.

CLOSE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:31 , Luke Baker

66 mins: Best chance of the second half for Uruguay! In fact, Pellistri should score. Some quick passing in the box and Pellistri fires into the side netting from about 10 yards out. Golden chance and it would have killed off Ghana.

That’s Pellistri’s last contribution as he and “the devil himself” Luis Suarez head off to be replaced by Edinson Cavani and Nicolas de la Cruz. Will Suarez have another World Cup match or is this his last?

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:28 , Luke Baker

64 mins: Great ball in by Sulemana from the left, curled into a really dangerous area. It goes over Rochet and is just beyond the stretching Bukari at the back post. Promising for Ghana.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:26 , Luke Baker

62 mins: Good block from Gimenez as Sulemana tries to get a cross into the box. Uruguay will be content with time continuing to tick away for the moment, although a Korea goal would change their outlook.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:24 , Luke Baker

60 mins: Suarez now in the book for kicking the ball away after Ghana awarded a free-kick. In news that will surprise no-one, he’s been niggling away all day and it has been coming.

PENALTY SHOUT! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:23 , Luke Baker

57 mins: Uruguay want a penalty here. Ball over the top for Nunez to chase, Amartey in close attendance - they’re jostling, Amartey lunges across and Nunez goes down in the box. A bit clumsy and he may be in trouble.

The referee gets a word in his ear and goes to the monitor to check for a penalty... NOT GIVEN! He has a look and deems it no foul. Maybe Amartey gets the slightest of touches to the ball... Or perhaps handball from Nunez as he initially brought the ball down? Either way, Ghana survive.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:20 , Luke Baker

56 mins: Salisu clips a ball over the top and Sulemana makes a great arcing run to stay onside. Uruguay keeper Rochet gets there first but flaps at the bouncing ball and collides with Sulemana. It’s hacked out for a throw though.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:19 , Luke Baker

55 mins: Salisu goes through the back of Suarez for a free-kick in a central position about 35 yards out. Too far out to have a go at goal?

Yes, as Valverde clips the ball into the box, it’s nodded back across goal but Ghana clear.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:17 , Luke Baker

53 mins: Uruguay sitting deep and Ghana knocking at the door early in this second half. No answer so far though.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:15 , Luke Baker

51 mins: Sulemana and Bukari have both taken up very attacking positions alongside Inaki Williams. Ghana have to throw the kitchen sink at this in all fairness as they need at least a draw to stand any chance of going through.

They’re having more possession at the start of this second half than they did in the first.

CLOSE! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:12 , Luke Baker

46 mins: Much better start to the second half from Ghana and Bukari almost scores seconds after coming on. He fires a shot at goal from the right side of the area but it blazes wide of the far post.

Kudus was sliding in to try and get a touch, although he may have been offside but the shot itself wasn’t far away.

KICK-OFF! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

16:10 , Luke Baker

Back underway for this crucial 45 minutes. A couple of changes at the break for Ghana as the Ayew brothers are both off, with Osman Bukari and Kamaldeen Sulemana entering the fray.

Group H as it stands

16:10 , Luke Baker

Right, as we prepare for the second half, let’s take a look at how it stands in Group H.

The scores are currently South Korea 1-1 Portugal and Ghana 0-2 Uruguay. That means Portugal would top the group with Uruguay through in second spot.

HOWEVER, one goal from South Korea would change things and send them through ahead of Uruguay. Meanwhile, Ghana need to score at least twice in the second half to pip the other teams to second place.

WATCH: De Arrascaeta volleys home to make it 2-0

16:08 , Luke Baker

Shortly after his first, De Arrascaeta scored again to make it 2-0. Great technique on the volley

WATCH: De Arrascaeta gives Uruguay the lead from close range

16:04 , Luke Baker

Ghana were made to pay for that penalty miss as Giorgian de Arrascatea scored from close range shortly after to give Uruguay the lead

WATCH: Andrew Ayew misses penalty

15:59 , Luke Baker

Let’s take a look at some highlights from that first half, starting with the moment that swung the game in the favour of Uruguay. Ghana win a penalty but Andrew Ayew fails to convert - shades of 2010...

HALF-TIME! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

15:54 , Luke Baker

And that’s half-time. A dramatic first 45 minutes it’s fair to say!

Andre Ayew had his weak penalty saved by Rochet before Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored a quickfire double at the other end. As it stands, Uruguay are going through to the last 16 as Ghana need a huge second-half comeback.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

15:52 , Luke Baker

45+6 mins: Pellistri theatrically goes down in the box as Amartey shepherds the ball back to his goalkeeper. I think he’s trying to suggest there may have been an elbow form the Leicester man but replays shows it was more bicep to shoulder - Amartey just using his body to block off the winger (legally)

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

15:50 , Luke Baker

45+4 mins: Another free-kick from the right comes in from Uruguay, this is much better and Gimenez rises above his marker but his header flies over the bar.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

15:46 , Luke Baker

45+1 mins: It’s 8 minutes of added time at the end of the first half here. Needless to say, Ghana can’t afford to concede again

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

15:45 , Luke Baker

45 mins: Varela goes down to win a free-kick on right side. It was a foul but he made a lot of it...

Ball whipped into the box by Varela himself, runs all the way through and Suarez keeps it in play, nutmegs one defender but his cross is blocked back into him and goes out for a goal-kick.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

15:43 , Luke Baker

42 mins: No goals in their first two matches for Uruguay but now two in about five minutes here to turn this group on its head and send them into the last 16 as it stands. Such are the fine margins in World Cup football.

Crunching challenges coming in from both sides. Seidu goes in for a slide on De Arrascaeta and is that a stamp from the Uruguayan goalscorer? His studs end up in the side of Seidu who goes down screaming in pain.

A bit of magic spray cures all ills but was that a bit naughty from De Arrascaeta or just an accident?

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

15:37 , Luke Baker

37 mins: Better from Ghana as Kudus ghosts past a defender and has his strike on goal deflected wide for a corner. They then win a second corner but it’s headed away by the first man. Not great by Baba Rahman, who is frustrated with himself.

Ghana 0-2 Uruguay

15:35 , Luke Baker

34 mins: A first bit of bad news for Uruguay. Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur has picked up an injury and he can’t continue. He’s subbed off with Matias Vecino coming on.

GOAL! Ghana 0-2 Uruguay (De Arrascaeta 32’)

15:32 , Luke Baker

And now it’s 2-0! A superb strike by De Arrascaeta.

It’s great interplay by Uruguay, Suarez flicks the ball over a defender to De Arrascaeta - immediately recognisable with his silver hair - who keeps his eye on the ball and volleys it powerfully past Ati-Zigi. Great technique.

The Uruguayan public had been begging coach Diego Alonso to start him and two goals here have proved them right.

South Korea vs Portugal

15:29 , Luke Baker

And there’s been a goal in the other game. South Korea level at 1-1 thanks to a goal by Kim Young-gwon. That doesn’t change things in the group just yet.

GOAL! Ghana 0-1 Uruguay (De Arrascaeta 26’)

15:26 , Luke Baker

And Uruguay break the deadlock!

Ghana lose the ball in midfield, a cross into the box evades two defenders and comes through to Suarez. He cuts inside and shoots at goal, Ati-Zigi stops it but it’s a weak save, the ball bobbles past his arm and De Arrascaeta is there at the back post to nod into an empty net.

Poor defending and goalkeeping by Ghana but Uruguay going through as it stands.

OFF THE LINE! Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:24 , Luke Baker

22 mins: Immediate drama at the other end. Seidu caught on the ball by De Arrascaeta who slides through Nunez one on one. Ati-Zigi off his line, Nunez dinks the ball over him and it’s goalbound but Salisu is brilliantly back to clear it OFF THE LINE.

Incredible defending and Ghana survive

Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:21 , Luke Baker

21 mins: That’s the fifth missed penalty at this World Cup. Nightmare for Ayew but it was a weak strike

MISSED PENALTY! Ghana 0-0 Uruguay (A Ayew 20’)

15:21 , Luke Baker

The Ghanaians form a protective shield around the penalty spot to stop any Uruguayan players scuffing it up ahead of the kick being taken but there’s still some nonsense and Nunez gets a yellow card.

Andre Ayew to take the penalty. A long wait, stuttered run-up and it’s SAVED! Low to Rochet’s left but comfortably saved. Poor penalty.

PENALTY! Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:18 , Luke Baker

16 mins: A bit of life in the Ghana attack. A lovely turn by Kudus in the middle of the park sets it up and Jordan Ayew cuts across the edge of the area before shooting on target. It’s saved but spilled by Rochet and he scrambles to his feet as Kudus comes in on the follow-up. The goalkeeper dives at the feet of Kudus and he goes down.

Initially offside is given for Andre Ayew in the build-up but VAR is now checking. Could this be penalty... IT IS!

Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:13 , Luke Baker

13 mins: Good work by Bentancur to intercept Partey’s pass in the middle of the park in a battle of north London-based players. Ghana goalkeeper Ati-Zigi safely claims the resultant cross though.

Uruguay quickly back on the attack and it looks like Nunez is through on goal from a simple flick-on but good scramble defence sees Seidu flick the ball away

Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:11 , Luke Baker

11 mins: A cagey opening to this game. A couple of heavy challenges to keep things interesting but some sloppy passing has cut short attacks for both teams. Uruguay have had more of the ball so far though.

South Korea vs Portugal update

15:09 , Luke Baker

An update from the other game in the group. Ricardo Horta has put Portugal into an early 1-0 lead over South Korea. That’s good news for both these team - would mean that a draw for Ghana or win for Uruguay would definitely send them through in second spot.

Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:08 , Luke Baker

8 mins: Kudus fouled about 35 yards from goal on the left but the free-kick routine is comfortably cleared by the Uruguay defence

Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:06 , Luke Baker

5 mins: De Arrascaeta wins the ball back well in midfield and Uruguay pour forward. Nunez has a run at it and complains about being pulled back but he’s gone down very easily there. Nothing doing

Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:02 , Luke Baker

2 mins: A painful one early on for Gimenez as he goes in for a challenge with Kudus and the Ghanaian’s studs catch him on the leg. A lot of writhing around in pain for the Uruguay defender but he’s back up and good to carry on.

The South Americans stroking the ball about early on and a ball slid through for Pellistri ends up going out for a goal kick as Salisu defends it well.

KICK-OFF! Ghana 0-0 Uruguay

15:00 , Luke Baker

Underway in Qatar for this crunch Group H match. Can Ghana make it three African teams into the last 16?

National anthems completed

14:57 , Luke Baker

The two anthems are done and we’re almost ready to go. Remember, Ghana will be through with a win and probably a draw. Uruguay have to win to stand any chance of qualifying.

Here are the teams.

Ghana XI: Ati-Zigi, Seidu, Amartey, Salisu, Baba, Partey, Abdul Samed, Kudus, A Ayew, J Ayew, Williams

Uruguay XI: Rochet, Varela, Gimenez, Coates, Olivera, Pellistri, Valverde, Bentancur, De Arrascaeta, Suarez, Nunez

Ghana vs Uruguay stats

14:55 , Luke Baker

Some facts and stats ahead of kick-off, which is around five minutes away.

  • Ghana have scored with five of their six shots on target at the World Cup so far, including all three such efforts against South Korea last time out. Their five goals is their joint-most scored in any of their four appearances at the tournament (also 5 in 2010).

  • Ghana have scored in their last seven World Cup games and could equal Nigeria’s record of eight for an African nation at the tournament, set between 1994 and 1998.

  • Uruguay have never lost a FIFA World Cup match against an African nation (won two, drawn two) with all four meetings coming in the 21st century – 3-3 vs Senegal (2002), 3-0 vs South Africa (2010), 1-1 vs Ghana (2010) and 1-0 vs Egypt (2018).

No Godin as team comes full circle

14:49 , Luke Baker

Uruguay captain Diego Godin has been dropped for today’s clash and, in a quirk of fate, this is now the first match he hasn’t started for Uruguay at the World Cup since their quarter-final victory in 2010 - which of course came against Ghana.

He had started their last 13 games in the competition prior to today

Diego Alsono staying positive

14:45 , Luke Baker

Uruguay haven’t even scored a goal yet at this World Cup but they know that victory today could well see them qualify for the last 16.

And Uruguay boss Diego Alonso is staying positive ahead of the clash.

“We understand how important this match is and what is at stake and what’s on the cards,” said Alonso.

“We’re still alive with a chance to go through if we believe in ourselves and it’s a great opportunity that we want to seize.”

Ghana vs Uruguay team news

14:39 , Luke Baker

A reminder of the team news for today’s clash:

Uruguay give a start to veteran striker Luis Suarez and have dropped captain Diego Godin from their defence. Suarez, playing in his fourth World Cup, will be at the centre of a three-man attack with Darwin Nunez and Facundo Pellistri, who gets a start for the second time, in a match the South Americans have to win to avoid their first group stage exit since 2002.

The 35-year-old Suarez is reviled in Ghana for using his hand in the 2010 World Cup to block a Ghana stoppage-time winner in the quarter-finals. Suarez was sent off in that match, but the Africans missed the resulting spot kick and eventually lost in a penalty shootout.

Ghana, who will go through to the last 16 with a win, make two changes to the team that beat South Korea 3-2, restoring Alidu Seidu and Baba Rahman to the full-back positions they played in during the opening game against Portugal, in place of Tariq Lamptey and Gideon Mensah.

Ghana XI: Ati-Zigi, Seidu, Amartey, Salisu, Baba, Partey, Abdul Samed, Kudus, A Ayew, J Ayew, Williams

Uruguay XI: Rochet, Varela, Gimenez, Coates, Olivera, Pellistri, Valverde, Bentancur, De Arrascaeta, Suarez, Nunez

‘The devil himself’: Ghana target World Cup revenge against Luis Suarez and Uruguay

14:30 , Luke Baker

Luis Suarez has been known to lose his temper but he sat there calmly and listened as he was told people in Ghana consider him the devil. Lest there was any scope for misunderstanding, it was translated into his native tongue: El Diablo, writes Richard Jolly.

A dozen years on, El Diablo remained unapologetic for one of his more notorious deeds. It is Uruguay against Ghana, the rematch, on Friday and if the stakes are high now, with the loser certain to go out of the World Cup, they were bigger still in 2010.

It was the 120th minute of the quarter-final when the forward who is now Uruguay’s record goalscorer turned goalkeeper, handling to prevent Dominic Adiyah’s header from making Ghana Africa’s first World Cup semi-finalist. Exit Suarez, sent off, only for him to celebrate enthusiastically when Asamoah Gyan ballooned the resulting spot-kick over the bar.

Suarez’s stance has remained consistent. “I don’t apologise about that,” he said. “I take the handball but the Ghana player misses a penalty, not me. Maybe I can say apologise if I take a tackle and injure a player and take a red card but in this situation, I take a red card and the referee says penalty. It is not my fault because I don’t miss the penalty. It is not my responsibility to shoot the penalty.”

‘The devil himself’: Ghana target World Cup revenge against Luis Suarez and Uruguay

Andre Ayew says the Ghanaian people haven’t forgiven Suarez

14:18 , Luke Baker

Andre Ayew believes the Ghanaian people have not forgiven Luis Suarez for the deliberate handball that stopped the Black Stars from becoming the first African side to reach the last four of the World Cup.

Today’s game is a rematch of the 2010 quarter-final, which Oscar Tabarez’s side won on penalties but only after Suarez was sent off in the 121st minute.

Ghana substitute Dominic Adiyiah’s header was going in before Suarez blocked it with his hand, was red-carded and celebrated enthusiastically when Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty. An unrepentant Suarez later said: “The Hand of God now belongs to me.”

Ayew, now Ghana’s captain, is the lone survivor of that squad and feels his compatriots have not forgotten and will not absolve Suarez for his actions.

“I don’t think so,” the forward said. “For me, it’s football. He took a decision. I’m the only who was in the squad when that happened. The others don’t really know how we felt. Everyone felt bad.”

Suarez saved the ball during the 2010 quarter-final (GETTY IMAGES)
Suarez saved the ball during the 2010 quarter-final (GETTY IMAGES)

Luis Suarez refuses to apologise for infamous World Cup handball: ‘Ghana player missed a penalty, not me’

14:10 , Luke Baker

Luis Suarez has refused to apologise to the nation of Ghana for his infamous handball in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup which led to Ghana’s elimination from the tournament at the expense of Uruguay.

The two teams will meet once again today in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, and the reunion has stirred memories of the incident in South Africa.

In the dying minutes of extra time, Suarez deliberately used his hands to stop a goal-bound shot from Stephen Appiah which would have sent Ghana through to the World Cup semi-finals. Suarez was sent off - not much of a punishment with such little time left on the clock - before Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty and the opportunity to clinch the game.

Gyan composed himself to score a few minutes later in the penalty shootout but Uruguay would go on to win 4-2, and Suarez emerged from the dressing room a hero, lifted up on to the shoulders of his teammates as they celebrated their triumph.

Speaking to the media ahead of the match, a Ghanaian journalist put to Suarez that he is considered “the devil himself” by many in Ghana, but the 35-year-old striker defended his actions.

Luis Suarez not sorry for World Cup handball: ‘Ghana player missed a penalty, not me’

Ghana vs Uruguay team news

14:02 , Luke Baker

The big news from the team line-ups is that Luis Suarez, the man labelled “the devil himself” by some in Ghana after his deliberate handball during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final starts up top for Uruguay alongside Darwin Nunez.

For Ghana, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan and Andre Ayew and Inaki Williams provide their attacking quartet. Kudus was the Black Stars’ hero in their win over South Korea, of course.

Ghana vs Uruguay team news

13:56 , Luke Baker

Line-ups for both sides are out.

Ghana XI: Ati-Zigi, Seidu, Amartey, Salisu, Baba, Partey, Abdul Samed, Kudus, A Ayew, J Ayew, Williams

Uruguay XI: Rochet, Varela, Gimenez, Coates, Olivera, Pellistri, Valverde, Bentancur, De Arrascaeta, Suarez, Nunez

Ghana vs Uruguay permutations

13:49 , Luke Baker

Ok, strap in, let’s run through what both teams need to qualify for the last 16 today.

For Ghana, a victory sends them through regardless of what happens in South Korea vs Portugal and they can finish top of Group H if they win, Portugal lose and they overcome a goal difference swing of three.

A draw will also be enough for the Black Stars to qualify, providing South Korea don’t beat Portugal by two goals or more, while defeat sends the African side out.

For Uruguay, only a win will be enough to qualify. If South Korea also beat Portugal, then Uruguay must triumph by two goals more than the Asian side do, to pip them to second spot on goal difference.

All make sense? Good!

Is Ghana vs Uruguay on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch World Cup fixture

13:38 , Luke Baker

One win could mean a spot in the last 16 for both Uruguay and Ghana on Friday - though only the latter have that guaranteed.

It’s possible the South Americans win and still go out, if South Korea also beat already-qualified Portugal and maintain a better goal difference than Darwin Nunez and co.

Ghana have been very impressive in spells at the World Cup, considering they are effectively a new team with plenty of inexperienced players at international level.

The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jordan Ayew have been very influential, while Inaki Williams has led the line well despite still waiting for his first goal for the national team.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game:

Is Ghana vs Uruguay on TV today?

Ghana vs Uruguay

13:27 , Jack Rathborn

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as Ghana play Uruguay in the World Cup Group H decider at Al Janoub Stadium.

The Black Stars are seeking “revenge” and labelled Luis Suarez as the “devil” after conceding a penalty for handling in the area in the 2010 quarter-final only for Asamoah Gyan to miss the spot kick and the South Americans to advance on penalties.

But Suarez maintains a desire for revenge can be “counter-productive” with his country desperate to win after defeat to Portugal, while Otto Addo’s side are buoyed by a thrilling win over South Korea.

Mohammed Kudus could be the hero for the Africans after his brace last time out and they will likely only need a draw to advance to the last 16.

Stick with us for full coverage.