Uruguay woke up late and beat Ghana, but a goal from South Korea knocked them out of the World Cup in a dramatic final

Luis Suárez’s tears, barely hidden under the number 9 shirt, are Uruguay’s tears. The image of Edinson Cavani and José María Giménez reproaching the German referee Daniel Siebert for an alleged missed penalty is the image of the impotence of Uruguay, who had trapped the table in the round of 16 until the unexpected news of a South Korean goal arrived in Portugal with discount. A bomb.

Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0, but it wasn’t enough. He was excluded from this crazy World Cup because, on equal points, the Asians have scored more goals in favour. Too bad for the Uruguayan: he didn’t convert in the first two games (0-0 with Korea, 0-2 against Portugal). And again: in those two games he didn’t play to his full potential. Against Ghana they took the lead in the first half and didn’t push too hard to extend it, confident that Portugal would not lose to the Koreans. Another sin.

Hwang Hee-Chan’s goal, in the 91st minute, surprised Uruguay, who however had seven minutes after the end of the match in Education City to score once again and get the ticket. Cavani has it with the head, but goalkeeper Zigi reacts very well. He also did it before a right foot from Valverde, below. Subsequently the Uruguayans asked for a penalty against Cavani which was not there and did not even review the VAR. It looked like a violation in front of Darwin Núñez, in the first part.

​Among Charrúas’ complaints, he added the penalty for the 0-2 draw against Portugal. Now, every goal ends up being decisive. Too late for tears and complaints.

But before this definition of mad there was a game in which Uruguay recovered its image, even if in the light of what happened it can be considered that their game appeared late and without margin for error.

In the beginning, when everything was a celestial illusion, it was impossible to forget that sequence from South Africa 2010. Last minute of extra time, hand ball and Suárez dismissal, penalty deflected by Asamoah Gyan, and yet another miraculous life for Uruguay who takes advantage of it in the definition, immortalized by Abreu, scoring the decisive shot. Crazy everything.

Impossible to forget that night, after all, because fate has its whims and brought her to Doha in the 20th minute of the first half. More rigor, so much so that in Ghana there is talk of a curse. It was through the VAR, confusing why the referee first charged an offside that wasn’t there. Rochet hit a long groundbound and then tagged Kudus. That’s right, criminal. White 10, Andre Ayew, took his time and finished with his left foot, crossed and soft, allowing Rochet to assert himself with a great reaction.

And rigor had its influence, its esoteric touch if you will. He chased away the ghosts and ignited Uruguay. After the controversy that he defended too much and attacked too little, after two games without scoring goals, and based on the statements of Edinson Cavani and José María Giménez, something happened in the Uruguayan field and coach Diego Alonso gave his best the midfield itself. Facundo Pellistri on the right, Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur in the center and Giorgian de Arrascaeta on the left.

Rochet’s providential parade freed Uruguay from fears and helped him free himself. Two minutes later Darwin Núñez had a very clear situation to convert.

After Valverde stole, Núñez switched fronts for Luis Suárez and the gunslinger he made one of his own: he tackled from left to right, took the shot which goalkeeper Zigi deflected in the middle. In doubt whether to enter or reject a defender, De Arrascaeta headed in and made it 1-0. Uruguay’s first goal in this World Cup, crucial. There were 26 minutes, barely six of Rochet’s penalty save had passed.

And five minutes later De Arrascaeta reappeared to conclude a great collective combination, which began with Valverde, passed on the feet of Pellistri, the head of Núñez until Suárez enabled De Arrascaeta, who defined first. Big goal. The 2-0 that seemed serene, albeit always with an eye on Portugal-South Korea, because a victory by the Asians would have changed the map.

The minutes passed and no worrying news arrived from the other field, apart from the fact that Portugal (already classified) had reserved several starters. Time was running out, Uruguay was defending itself from Ghana’s latest attempts, Rochet was responding. Until suddenly a bomb exploded: Korean target. Luis Suárez’s face reflected it before anyone else. The crazy World has also taken the dreams of Uruguay.

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.

GL