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Ghana face Uruguay on Friday afternoon in a match that will determine both sides’ fates at the 2022 World Cup. The Black Stars head into the match knowing that a draw will likely be enough to seal qualification into the last 16, providing South Korea don’t beat Portugal by two goals or more.
Meanwhile, Uruguay know that they need to win to have any chance of making it through to the latter stages of the competition.
If the qualification stipulations weren’t enough to get the juices flowing, then there is also the added factor of the history between the two nations at World Cups. In one of the most infamous moments in World Cup History, Uruguay’s Luis Suarez stopped a certain goal from going in with his hand right at the end of the 2010 quarter-final.
Suarez was sent off but Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty which sent the game to a penalty shootout. Uruguay then predictably won the shootout and progressed to the semi-finals while Ghana were left wondering what might have been.
Team news
Ghana
Ghana have a clean bill of health ahead of the fixture, after coming through the clash with South Korea unscathed. Considering they came out on top of that particular game, it wouldn’t be surprising to see their head coach Otto Addo go with an unchanged eleven.
The standout player for Ghana throughout the group stages has been Mohammed Kudus. His two goals against South Korea were the deciding factor, and his teammates have him to thank for the strong position they are in heading into the final game.
Aside from Kudus, the Black Stars will be hoping the Ayew brothers, Jordan and Andre, can provide some moments of magic to get past Sergio Rochet in the Uruguay goal. With Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams expected to join the pair in the forward positions, Ghana should be confident of scoring a goal or two.
Uruguay
Despite being tipped by many to be the tournament’s dark horses, Uruguay have had a torrid time in Qatar so far. After trudging to a 0-0 draw with South Korea in their opening fixture, they lost by two goals to nil against Portugal last time out.
Manager, Diego Alonso, doesn’t seem to be particularly confident on his best formation or eleven after switching from a back four to a back five between his sides opening two games. Considering only a win will do for “La Celeste”, it would be surprising if they don’t go for a back four and a 4-3-3 against Ghana.
The main selection dilemma for Alonso will be in relation to his front three. Darwin Nunez, despite making an underwhelming start to life at Liverpool, will surely start meaning there is likely only going to be room for one of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. While both strikers are well past their best, perhaps one of them could one last moment of magic for their country.
Barcelona defender, Ronald Araujo is expected to miss out again with a thigh injury, while Bentancur and Valverde are shoe-ins to start in midfield.
Predicted lineups for Ghana vs Uruguay
Ghana
Ati-Zigi, Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah, Partey, Samed, Kudus, A. Ayew, J. Ayew, Williams
Uruguay
Rochet, Gimenez, Godin, Coates, Cacares, Valverde, Bentancur, Vecino, Nunez, Suarez, Pellistri
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