One of the best generations that Uruguayan soccer has ever had said goodbye this Friday in the most bitter way imaginable. Luis Suárez, Cavani, Muslera, Cáceres and Godín touched glory in South Africa, in 2010, climbing to the last step of the podium, and twelve years later, in Qatar, they say goodbye at the first exchange despite beating Ghana. South Korea's victory left them out by just one goal. There is no more heartbroken farewell for such a competitive group of footballers. The Africans were also knocked out, although their fans celebrated it as revenge after falling in the quarterfinals with the Charrúas in 2010.
Ghana was the only one that depended on itself to get into the round of 16, without the need for other results, again an afternoon of transistors in Al Janub, this time with a sad ending for Uruguay. And that thing started well, with an early goal from Portugal that gave them wings. Ghana defended itself, something speculative, annulled Kudus, the argument of its best history. More in need, the Uruguayan team showed more ambition, with a magnificent De Arrascaeta, who was already giving a recital before scoring.
Uruguay dominated but curiously the box of thunder did not open until Ghana stepped on Rochet's area. A quarter of an hour had gone into the game and the Ghanaians had already received several reprimands from the Uruguayan crowd for wasting time, traveling too close to the cornice. But Jordan Ayew suddenly began to caracol around the edge of the area and tried his luck, forcing Rochet to remove his left mitt. The rejection was hunted by Kudus, who ended up on the ground after colliding with the Nacional goalkeeper while the linesman raised the flag. The play did not exude more danger than that until the VAR decided to surprisingly call the referee Siebert, who awarded a penalty on the Ghanaian star for such slight contact that his decision even caused embarrassment. There is a soccer law that establishes that if a non-existent penalty is called, it is missed, although it is not always complied with. This time yes, Andre Ayew's lousy shot was deflected by Rochet.
They were five minutes of madness, of chaos, a stage where only teams like the Uruguayan team know how to shine, full of old rockers. Salisu cleared a Vaseline from Núñez under the sticks three minutes later. And without time to blink, De Arrascaeta was the author of the first goal of the night, scoring at will after a great maneuver by the eternal Luis Suárez.
Ghana paid for their stinginess and found themselves behind on the scoreboard against one of those rivals who handles timing perfectly. The Africans were groguis, who immediately conceded the second. Once again, the connection between Luis Suárez and De Arrascaeta proved to be lubricated, signed by the Flamengo midfielder, a talent like his in Brazilian football being too limited.
The Uruguayan problems came from Education City, where Korea matched Portugal and kept a goal in the round of 16. It was then forced for Uruguay to thrash and increase their goal difference, an opportunity they already dreamed of in the second half, when Siebert returned to VAR to review an action between Amartey and Núñez although this time, with good judgment, he did not award a penalty against the furious reaction of the Uruguayan bench.
The tension was increasing and, in addition, Ghana was holding on to Kudus to take a step forward. Uruguay put all their chips to defend, without counting on Hee-chan's goal in added time. The drama seized the Uruguayan ranks in a few last minutes of runners and tears. The marker did not move and the two had to pack their bags. What a bitter farewell.
