Emotions demanded that Ghana make amends for the mistakes made against Uruguay in their 2010 World Cup quarterfinal and atone for the harm caused by Luis Suárez‘s last-minute handball with the game on the line.
But Suárez, in particular, and Uruguay don’t have time for such sentimental ideas of atonement. Ghana was once more eliminated after missing a penalty, but they might take solace in the fact that South Korea, not Uruguay, and Portugal advanced to the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, despite Suárez’s two assists.
Also read: Watch: Jungkook’s Dreamers play as South Korea advances to final 16 in FIFA World Cup 2022
Uruguay’s response was not too good. At the final whistle, Uruguay’s players swarmed the eccentric German referee Daniel Siebert, angry that they had not been granted at least one of two massive penalty claims in the second half, whilst Ghanaians sat on the field in resigned exhaustion.
As they prepared to leave, the Ghanaian supporters appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Suárez broke down in tears on the bench as José Giménez yelled at Siebert.
Also read: Watch: Moment South Korea found out they’re through to the last 16 of FIFA World Cup 2022
While leaving the field, Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani is seen slamming down the VAR screen.
A 12-year-old incident that happened at Soccer City, and more specifically, that one moment in the final minute of extra time, haunted this game.
Also read: Watch: Luis Suarez bursts into tears as Uruguay crashes out of FIFA World Cup 2022
The image, a perverse footballing pietà, was always there, darting in the corner of the eye: Stephen Appiah in the foreground after having the initial blocked shot (which was likely offside, though nobody mentions that), John Mensah and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera falling alongside Andrés Scotti, Dominic Adiyiah stretching after heading the loose ball goalward, Jorge Fucile with his back arched and left fist thrust up after missing his attempt to handle the ball.
It is the Pisgah of African football—the time it was so close to reaching the World Cup semifinal but was stopped short.
