Luis Suarez distraught as Uruguay miss World Cup last 16 spot despite win over Ghana

Giorgian de Arrascaeta's brace not enough as South Americans are eliminated

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Ghana v Uruguay - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - December 2, 2022 Uruguay's Luis Suarez looks dejected after the match as Uruguay are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS / Albert Gea

Luis Suarez of Uruguay reacts after his team's elimination from the World Cup on Friday. Getty

Giorgian de Arrascaeta, left, of Uruguay celebrates after scoring the second goal against Ghana. EPA

Giorgian de Arrascaeta celebrates scoring his, and Uruguay's, second goal. AP

Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta makes it 2-0. Getty

Uruguay's Luis Suarez argues with referee Daniel Siebert. Getty

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scores for Uruguay. AP

Ghana's Andre Ayew misses a penalty. Getty

Uruguay manager Diego Alonso celebrates his team's second goal. Getty

Ghana's Daniel Amartey tackles Uruguay attacker Darwin Nunez. AP

Giorgian de Arrascaeta celebrates scoring for Uruguay. Getty

Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet fouls Mohammed Kudus and gives away a penalty. Getty

Referee Daniel Siebert reviews the penalty incident on the pitchside screen. Getty

Uruguay keeper Sergio Rochet celebrates after saving Andre Ayew's penalty for Ghana. Getty

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scores for Uruguay. Getty

Uruguay's Sergio Rochet saves Andre Ayew's penalty. Getty

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice as Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 on Friday but it was not enough as South Korea pipped them to the Group H runners-up spot with victory over Portugal in the World Cup on Friday.

Ghana, who famously missed an extra-time spot kick in a quarter-final against Uruguay in South Africa 12 years ago, spurned the chance to take the lead in the 21st minute when Andre Ayew's tame penalty was easily saved by Sergio Rochet.

Uruguay made them pay with their first goals of the tournament as De Arrascaeta headed the ball over the line from close-range after a shot from Luis Suarez in the 26th minute and doubled their lead with a superb volley after Suarez was again involved in the buildup six minutes later.

The win lifted Uruguay to third place on four points, the same as South Korea, who squeaked through with more goals scored in the tournament after netting a late winner in a 2-1 victory over Portugal.

Uruguay were in a position to go through until South Korea’s late goal n the other Group H game. That meant Uruguay needed to score one more goal in the dying minutes of the game to qualify.

They didn’t and Suarez was distraught on the sidelines and covered his face with his shirt having been substituted in what was likely his last World Cup appearance.