Andre Ayew fluffs the chance to fire Ghana ahead against Uruguay with a HORRENDOUS penalty after Mohammed Kudus was brought down by Sergio Rochet – despite Luis Suarez’s protests at the VAR call – leaving Black Stars fans in despair
Ghana’s captain Andre Ayew made a horrendous miss from the penalty spot which would have put the African nation ahead in their grudge match with Uruguay.
Ayew is the only member of Ghana’s team who was part of their 2010 World Cup squad, which reached the quarter-final stage where they faced the South American side. Luis Suarez was sent off for an infamous handball which denied Ghana a goal, and the Black Stars were eliminated.
Ghana viewed Friday’s group stage match as an opportunity for revenge against a player some consider to be the ‘devil’.
Suarez is captain of Uruguay’s team today, and was part of the protests against the penalty call after Mohammed Kudus was brought down by goalkeeper Sergio Rochet. After VAR inspection, it was given, and Ayew stepped up to the spot – but only after Darwin Nunez stamped on it to try and scuff the turf in the Al-Janoub Stadium.
Uruguay captain Luis Suarez protested against the penalty call which was given early on
Andre Ayew apologised after his miss, which cost the Black Stars the opportunity to go ahead
Ayew shot low to his right, but it was comfortable for Rochet to parry, before a defender hooked the ball to safety.
The 32-year-old winger joined Qatar’s Al Saad in 2021, but his experience with football in the country could not help him dispatch the all-important penalty when it mattered. Ayew has previously played for Marseille, Swansea City and West Ham.
In Johannesburg in 2010, Suarez stopped a certain Ghana goal with his hand, and was shown a red card. The Black Stars missed the subsequent penalty, and went on to be eliminated, sending Uruguay through to the World Cup semi-finals, where they were ejected by Holland.
It was yet more penalty drama including Ghana and Uruguay, following from the 2010 handball
Suarez wears the country’s armband for the rematch between the two sides 12 years later
Ayew missed the match against Uruguay 12 years ago due to an accumulation of yellow cards throughout the tournament in South Africa, and could only look on as his country exited the World Cup on penalties.
This time around, he was able to take one, but it was an unsuccessful attempt. Ayew’s miss at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah was followed up by a brace for Giorgian de Arrascaeta, to give Uruguay a 2-0 lead at half-time in a match they must win to have any chance of making the knockout phase in 2022.
Ayew was the only Ghana player to feature in the 2010 squad and during today’s encounter
Ayew’s shot was saved by Sergio Rochet, who brought down Mohammed Kudus to give it away
Ghana came into Friday’s encounter knowing that a draw would probably be enough to see them through, whilst Uruguay had to win after getting just a single point from their first two matches.
Portugal are playing South Korea in the other Group H clash at the Education City Stadium.
More to follow…
Ghana fans in the stadium were left aghast by the missed penalty, and then Uruguay’s goals
