Ghana create unwanted FIFA World Cup record in defeat to Uruguay

Both teams crashed out from the group stages.

Yet another World Cup group-stage exit for Ghana, who finish at the bottom of Group H. The Black Stars end their FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign with a single win from three matches. The will leave Qatar bow, but with yet another unwanted World Cup record their name, following the penalty miss in their final group game against Uruguay.

Given their rivalry against La Celeste, when both nations were put in the same Group it gave Ghana an opportunity to avenge their 2010 World Cup quarter-final agony against Uruguay. They were in Group H in Qatar alongside Portugal and South Korea.

Heading into the final group game, Uruguay had one point, and Ghana had three. Both teams needed a win to qualify for the knockouts, as did South Korea. Portugal, the only other team in Group H, had already advanced to the Round OF 16 stage after winning their opening two matches. Ghana and Uruguay clashed, while Portugal took on South Korea.

Ghana first team to miss two penalties against a single opponent in World Cup

Their match began almost with the same storyline as it had ended in 2010. Ghana had a penalty. Not because Suarez has handled the ball yet again, but after Uruguay's goalkeeper Sergio Rochet brought down Mohammed Kudus. This was Ghana's chance to exact vengeance and knock Uruguay out of the World Cup.

Andre Ayew, who was present during Ghana's Quarter-final misery in 2010, stepped up to take the spot kick. However, it was perhaps written in the stars that Ghana would never score a penalty in an open contest. And Andre Ayew proved them right as his shot was saved.

This made Ghana the first country in World Cup history to miss all of its penalties against a single opponent. Asamoah Gyan struck the upright all those years ago and now Andrew Ayew failed to find the net. It made Ghana the only team to miss two penalties against a single opponent in World Cup history.

Following the penalty miss, Uruguay gained control and cashed on the reprieve. Ghana suffered the consequences for their carelessness, as Uruguay scored twice in eight minutes, with Suarez setting up Giorgian De Arrascaeta for the second goal.

Ghana blew a glorious opportunity to avenge their defeat against Uruguay. La Celeste, however, held on to clinch all three points. The victory, though, did little to help their cause as South Korea beat Portugal in the other match. Uruguay were on track to advance to the last 16 as Group H runners-up, but South Korea's 90th-minute goal ensured the Asian side finished as runners-up. South Korea advance ahead of Uruguay by virtue of scoring more goals than Uruguay.