Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice in six minutes to give Uruguay a 2-0 win over Ghana on Friday, but it wasn’t enough to prevent them falling out of the World Cup on goals scored.
It was the first time in two decades that La Celeste failed to reach the knockout stages.
Unable to score in their first two matches, Uruguay needed a win to advance from Group H and ahead of already qualified Portugal to avoid defeat to South Korea. But the Asian side’s shock 2-1 win – the second goal came in stoppage time – saw them push through thanks to another two goals.
With South Korea tied with Portugal late in their match and Uruguay leading by two goals, the South American side was one footed in the last 16 before the pendulum swung towards South Korea who were leading by goals scored.
Uruguay battled desperately for the decisive goals, with Ferderico Valverde coming close with a volley from outside the box and Maxi Gomex having his shot saved by keeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi two minutes from time.
Uruguay went on the attack from the start of the game, eventually breaking the deadlock on 26 minutes when Darwin Nunez’s cross from the right was missed by two defenders to find Luis Suarez, whose low shot was spilled by the keeper, sending De Arrascaeta to the head could head. home up close.
Six minutes later, Uruguay struck again, as Nunez tapped the ball to Suarez, who knocked the ball over to De Arrascaeta to volley under the keeper.
The goals came just minutes after Ghana were awarded a penalty in their first attack of the match, after a shot from Jordon Ayew was spilled by keeper Sergio Rochet, who was knocked down by on-rushing Mohammed Kudus.
Andre Ayew fired tamely at Rochet, giving Uruguay the impetus to double down on their attack.
However, Uruguay missed the same kind of punch when they returned from the break, and they failed to further break down Ghana and increase their goal difference, allowing South Korea to advance.