Qatar 2022: Uruguay v Ghana preview; The Black Stars are on a mission to revenge 2010 heartbreak
Ghana will take on Uruguay in Group H on Friday knowing that a victory would see them advance to the knockout round of the World Cup alongside Portugal.
The Black Stars currently sit second in the group, two points ahead of fourth-placed Uruguay, who need to win to stand a chance of progressing to the last-16 stage of the tournament in Qatar.
Interestingly in Ghana, the whole nation will come to a standstill as they cheer the Stars to victory on a holiday with hearts and minds set on revenge against Uruguay following the heartbreaking battle between the two teams in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The South American nation progressed to the final four via a penalty shootout after the two teams finished level at 1-1 after 120 minutes of football, but there was huge controversy late on, with Luis Suarez receiving a red card for handling the ball on the line in the final seconds; Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting spot kick, which sent the contest to penalties, with Uruguay reaching the final four for the first time since 1970.
Ghana have the perfect if they really mean revenge as they can now eliminate Uruguay from the 2022 competition.
A victory would send Otto Addo’s side into the knockout round, while a draw would be enough if South Korea do not beat Portugal, who are already through. Should South Korea triumph against Fernando Santos’s side, then second in the group would be decided on goal difference.
Ghana know their job, and it would be some story if they could progress to the knockout round for the first time since their run to the quarter-finals in 2010, having been eliminated in the group stage in 2014 before failing to qualify for the finals four years ago in Russia.
Luis Suarez has set the game on fire after passing comments on the incident that took place 12 years, saying he cannot be blamed for Asamoah Gyan’s penalty miss.
“The Ghana player missed the penalty, not me,” Suarez said.
His actions in 2010 made him a villain in Ghana, partly as a result of his exuberant celebrations on the touchline as Uruguay won on penalties. Suarez’s side were then beaten in the last four by the Netherlands.
The current Ghana squad have however sought to play down talk of revenge against Suarez and Uruguay, with captain Andre Ayew – the only remaining player from the 2010 squad – saying he wants to move on.
“Everyone felt bad [in 2010] but for me I just want to get to the next stage,” he said. “Revenge or not, we would go with the same determination and desire to win.
“I am not looking back, I don’t want to focus on the past.”
Uruguay have found it difficult to impress at the 2022 tournament, drawing 0-0 with South Korea in their opening match before losing 2-0 to Portugal which has left them bottom of Group H and facing an early exit from the competition.
Diego Alonso’s side will definitely be eliminated if they lose or draw this match, with only a win being good enough. Three points would be enough to advance if South Korea do not beat Portugal, although if both teams triumph, then second in the group will be decided on goal difference.
Uruguay, who famously won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, certainly know what it takes to advance deep into the competition, having finished fourth at the 2010 competition before reaching the round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively in 2014 and 2018.
The South American nation have not actually been knocked out of a World Cup in the group stage since 2002, which was the first time that it had happened since 1974, so it would be a surprise to see them fail to progress through the first stage of the finals.
La Celeste have found it difficult in their opening two games at the 2022 competition, though, and they will now be taking on a Ghana side out for revenge following their infamous contest in 2010
Team News
Ghana have not reported any injury concerns from their clash with South Korea, so it would certainly not be a surprise to see the same starting XI take to the field for this match.
Mohammed Kudus who is in brilliant form after scoring twice against South Korea, and his performances at the tournament have led to suggestions of interest from the likes of Barcelona and Liverpool.
Inaki Williams is again expected to lead the line for Ghana, with Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew also set to retain their attacking roles in the three behind the centre-forward.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey should be joined by Salis Abdul Samed in the middle of midfield.
As for Uruguay, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have both struggled to impress at this summer’s tournament, so it would not be a shock to see them start on the bench here.
Darwin Nunez could potentially be joined in attack by Maxi Gomez, who was bright off the bench against Portugal, with Suarez and Cavani potentially playing roles later in the contest.
Head coach Alonso is likely to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack, with the likes of Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur and Jose Gimenez again certain starters.
Ronald Araujo’s fitness has been the topic of debate since the start of the tournament, and the Barcelona defender is again likely to be left out of the squad for this match.
Ghana possible starting lineup:
Ati-Zigi; Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah; Partey, Samed; Kudus, A Ayew, J Ayew; Williams
Uruguay possible starting lineup:
Rochet; Gimenez, Godin, Coates; Varela, Valverde, Bentancur, Vecino, Olivera; Nunez, Gomez
Prediction
Uruguay 1-1 Ghana
