Good afternoon and welcome to the live text coverage of the much-anticipated contest between the Black Stars of Ghana and their counterparts from Uruguay.
Ghana comes up against Uruguay this afternoon in a final Group H match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
From the two matches played in the group so far, Ghana has one win and one defeat.
That has given the Black Stars three important points and an even goal difference. With only Portugal having more points [6] than Ghana in the group, there is no pressure on the Black Stars ahead of the game.
For Uruguay, it is simple but complex at the same time. The South Americans need to simply beat Ghana to advance to the Round 16 stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
What makes it complex is the fact that they come up against a country with so much to play for. Besides aiming for the win to book a place in the Round 16 stage, players are motivated to stop Uruguay from winning to bring joy to Ghanaians and the rest of Africa.
Ghana starting eleven for the Uruguay game:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Baba Rahman, Mohammed Salisu, Daniel Amartey, Alidu Seidu, Salis Abdul Samed, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew Inaki Williams.
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 ! 🚨🇬🇭
Our starting 𝗫𝗜 to face Uruguay #BlackStars | #TeamGhana | #FIFAWorldCup| #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/ewjOcmgCWV
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) December 2, 2022
Uruguay starting eleven for the Ghana game:
Sergio Rochet, Jose Maria Gimenez, Sebastian Coates, Guillermo Varela, Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Pellistri, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Mathias Olivera, Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez.
Ghana needs a draw to advance to the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This afternoon’s game will kick off at 15:00GMT.
We are just 30 minutes way from kick off.
WHAT a fantastic atmosphere!! The two sides are on the pitch and we will now have the national anthems.
All is set for the the game to kick off;
First Half;
1’ Kick off - The game has started with GHana kicking us off.
2’ Mohammed Kudus must be careful here. He has been cautioned by the referee for a challenge on Uruguay defender Giminez.
3’ Uruguay appeals for a corner kick but the referee will have none of that. Goal kick to Ghana.
5’ A very lively start to the contest. Great game so far.
6’ Ghana awarded a free kick in a good position. Ayew executes but it is dealt with.
8’ Uruguay goes on an explosive counterattack but fails to make good use of it, the Black Stars have possession.
10’ It’s been a nervy first 10 minutes into this contest. The fans are loving it.
12’ A cross is lifted in for Luis Suarez, he battles the defense but Ati-Zito comes out to gather.
14’ Some hard tackles here and there with no player willing give anything to chance.
15’ GHana with a first attempt at goal, Jordan Ayew fires a shot from distance but it is saved by Rocket.
17’ Penalty to score. Andre Ayew accepts the responsibility and wastes it.
22’ Mohammed Salisu makes a goal line clearance to deny Darwin Nunez what would have been a great goal.
23’ End to end stuff.
26’ Jordan Ayew is caught ball watching as Uruguay breaks on a counter attack. Goal for Uruguay.
28’ Uruguay now in full control of this game.
30’ We have done 30 minutes of the contest. Ghana 0-0 Uruguay
32’ Goal!!! Uruguay have scored again. What a strike. As things stand Ghana will be eliminated.
35’ Giorgian De Arrascaeta is the man of the moment. His brace is sending Uruguay through to the Round 16 stage.
37’ Ghana fails to make use of multiple corners.
38’ Uruguay are back in control of the game and continues to dominate possession.
40’ We are into the last five minutes of the game.
45’ The board is up for eight additional minutes. Is there a way back in this one?
45+3’ Ghana not impressing in this one. It’s been a uninspiring showing from the team.
45+6 We are into the last two minutes of the game.
Halftime:
We are heading into the break now. We are back after 15 minutes for the second half.
Second Half:
46' Ghana coach Otto Addo makes changes at the break. Osman Bukari and Kamaldeen Sulemana are on to bolster the attack of the Black Stars. The duo have replaced the Ayew brothers.
47' Early chance for Ghana but Mohammed Kudus is offside.
50' Ghana showing purpose in the early minutes of the second half.
52' Good pressing from Ghana now but Uruguay's defense so far is very resolute.
54' Mohammed Salisu brings down Luis Suarez. He is down screaming to the referee for protection.
57' Referee is called to check for a possible penalty for Uruguay. The referee is satisfied and says no penalty.
59' Luis Suarez is shown a red card for kicking the ball after the ref had whistled for a Ghana foul.
61' We have passed the hour mark. Ghana still trails 2-0 to Uruguay. As things stand the Black Stars will be heading home.
63' The introduction of Kamaldeen Sulemana and Osman Bukari has given Ghana options in the attack. The team is now playing a bit better.
65' Pellestri fires a shot at goal from close range. Unfortunately, his strike misses the target.
66' Luis Suarez is replaced by Edinson Cavani.
69 ' Federico Valverde with a bullet effort from range. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi makes a fine stop to deny Uruguay the third goal.
71' Mohammed Kudus tries his effort from distance. The rising shot goes over the bar.
72' Ghana will make more changes. Inaki Williams out, Antoine Semenyo in. Abdul Samed Salis will also be replaced by Daniel Kofi-Kyereh.
75' Kamaldeen Sulemana with some trickery wins a corner for Ghana. Kofi-Kyereh takes but Uruguay deals with it.
78' Antoine Semenyo is put through but drags his shot wide. That was a good chance to score.
80' Mohammed Kudus with a well-placed shot. he is only denied by a good save from Rochet.
83' Time is definitely not on Ghana's side. The Black Stars simply need to score.
85' Kamaldeen Sulemana is shown a yellow card.
86' Ghana has a free-kick in a very dangerous position. Sebastien Coates is shown the yellow card.
88' Lawrence Ati-Zigi pulls off a fantastic stop to deny Edinson Cavani.
90' We will do 8 minutes of stoppage time.
90+4' Ati-Zigi makes another great stop. That strike was heading into the bottom corner.
90+9' Uruguay awarded a free-kick for a last chance to score to go through. Can they make it count?
Fulltime: It's all over at Al Janoub Stadium. Ghana and Uruguay both crash out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Heartbreak all over again for Ghana.