Uruguay drama, 2-0 win over Ghana not enough: South Korea passes. Portugal first

Flamengo player’s double is not enough for Uruguay

Group H also gave its verdicts: on the afternoon of Friday, December 2, in fact, Uruguay overcame Ghana 2-0 thanks to Giorgian De Arrascaeta’s double, which, however, was not enough to qualify for the round of 16 by virtue of South Korea’s 2-1 success over Portugal.

First half without a moment’s pause at Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah: Ghana was awarded a penalty kick for a disjointed intervention in the exit of Uruguayan goalkeeper Rochet, on the penalty spot Andrè Ayew appeared but had his shot parried. Galvanized by the escaped danger, Uruguay scored two goals within seven minutes, both scored by Flamengo player Giorgian De Arrascaeta. In the second half the Africans tried but failed to find the way to goal. Dramatic final minutes with the South American national team, however, failing to find the 3-0 goal that would have been needed to snatch the pass to the round of 16.

In the other match in Group H, South Korea nabbed a historic qualification, overcoming Portugal 2-1. Early on, it was the Lusitanians who took the lead through Ricardo Horta, who slotted in behind Seung-Gyu Kim on Dalot’s suggestion. Just before the half-hour mark, however, the Asians evened the score: on the development of a corner the ball stayed in the box and Young-Gwon Kim was the quickest of all. Virtually nothing happens in the second half until the 91st, when from a corner kick in Portugal’s favor, Heung-Min Son recovers the ball and restarts on the counterattack, making more than 60 meters with the ball on his foot before serving a kissing assist for Hee-Chan Hwang who signs the Asian Tigers’ incredible overtake. It is the qualifying goal, making the Koreans dream and dooming Uruguay.