By Kwadwo Boateng

La Celeste of Uruguay sent Ghana packing again with a 2-0 victory on Friday in the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Uruguay’s victory at the Al Janoub Stadium makes it the second time that they have beaten the Black Stars of Ghana with the first one happening 12 years ago in South Africa.

Giorgio de Arrascaeta scored both goals within eight minutes of the first half for Uruguay to pick up the win but crash out of Group H after South Korea beat Portugal 2-1.

Arrascaeta scored the first goal from a close-range header, while the second came through a sublime volley that zoomed beneath goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.

Ghana missed a penalty when captain Andre Ayew saw his spot-kick saved by Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet to keep the gamed at 0-0. The penalty was awarded by the referee after reviewing the goalkeeper’s foul on Mohammed Kudus on the pitch side monitor in the 21st minute mark.

Ghana will now turn attention to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March next year.