2022 World Cup Group H final standings: Who is through to the last 16?
Portugal and South Korea have sealed progression from a fiercely-competitive Group H in the World Cup — with Ghana and Uruguay going home.
All eyes were on the Al Janoub Stadium between cult rivals Uruguay and Ghana, who were meeting for the first time since their infamous quarter-final clash in the 2010 World Cup — and it was another drama-soaked duel that ended in heartbreak.
Twelve years ago, Luis Suarez was the antagonist after denying Ghana a winner in extra-time by handling the ball on the line and getting sent off. Asamoah Gyan missed the resultant spot-kick and Uruguay went on to win a penalty shoot-out, with Sebastian Abreu audaciously scoring a winning Panenka.
Meeting for the first time since that fiery encounter in South Africa, history repeated itself, with Suarez once again revelling in his status as the pantomime villain and Ghana ruing yet another missed penalty. This time through Andre Ayew, whose tame effort was parried by Sergio Rochet.
The Black Stars were gifted an opportunity to banish the ghosts of 12 years ago after Rochet brought down Mohammed Kudus — an opportunity to settle a few scores. However, Ayew lacked the necessary conviction when he stepped up to take the kick and his weak effort was easily palmed away by Rochet.
2010: Asamoah Gyan misses a World Cup penalty against Uruguay
2022: André Ayew misses a World Cup penalty against Uruguay
Cursed. #FIFAWorldCup
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) December 2, 2022
To rub salt in the wounds, Suarez would play a key role in Uruguay’s opener only five minutes later. Collecting the ball just wide of Ghana’s six-yard box, the polarising marksman cut in and curled; Lawrence Ati-Zigi was equal to his effort, but not enough to prevent Giorgian de Arrascaeta bagging the rebound.
Suarez would be at it again moments later. After some neat build-up play by Uruguay, the ball dropped to Suarez, who flicked it over to De Arrascaeta, and he scored a screamer. The slippery No. 10 uncorked a first-time volley beautifully into the net, and it was always going to be a struggle for Ghana to come back.
Most rivalries are born out of geographical proximity or a deep-seated bitterness cultivated over years of bad blood. The Ghana-Uruguay rivalry is simply because of one man: Suarez. And he was once again at the centre of this drama-packed contest. Only on this occasion, it was despair on both sides.
With South Korea netting late on, Ghana missed a chance to set the record straight from 12 years ago and beat Uruguay. They would have fancied themselves had Ayew scored. As for Uruguay, they left it too late to try and snatch a third against Ghana after news filtered through of Hwang Hee-chan’s winner against Portugal.
So, South Korea and Portugal are through. Collective jubilation at the Education City Stadium. And they will face the winners and runners-up of Group G, expected to be Brazil for South Korea and one of Serbia or Switzerland for Portugal.
2022 World Cup Group H final results
Thursday, November 24, 2022
- Uruguay 0-0 South Korea, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Portugal 3-2 Ghana, Stadium 974, Doha
Monday, November 28, 2022
- South Korea 2-3 Ghana, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Portugal 2-0 Uruguay, Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail
Friday, December 2, 2022
- Ghana 0-2 Uruguay, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
- South Korea 2-1 Portugal, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
2022 World Cup standings
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