Pellistri's 2022 World Cup journey is over
Facundo Pellistri and Uruguay were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Friday evening, despite defeating Ghana 2-0.
Diego Alonso's side entered the Group H finale knowing that nothing less than victory would give them a chance of progressing to the last 16.
Things looked to be going the way La Celeste had hoped at half-time, with Giorgian de Arrascaeta's double and Sergio Rochet's penalty save from Andre Ayew's spot-kick giving Uruguay a deserved lead.
Given South Korea were only drawing 1-1 with Portugal at the break in the other Group H match, Alonso's side were set to be heading into the next stage of the 2022 World Cup.
However, while Uruguay were still leading 2-0, South Korea managed to score a last-minute winner in their game and all of a sudden, La Celeste were heading out.
The South Americans threw everything at their African counterparts in the latter stages but could not breach their defence for a third time, meaning that on goals scored, Uruguay have been eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage for the first time since 2002.
Despite the win, Uruguay exit the World Cup with Ghana. @adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022
The opening exchanges of the highly anticipated clash - a repeat of the controversial 2010 quarter-final - were cagey. Pellistri was unleashed down the right by Guillermo Varela early on, but his centre was not met by a team-mate.
However, the match came alive when Jordan Ayew's shot from the outside of the box was saved by Sergio Rochet, before the Uruguayan goalkeeper was beaten to the ball by Mohammed Kudus and fouled the Ghana attacker. Following a lengthy VAR review, the African side were awarded a spot-kick.
Andre Ayew stepped up to take the penalty, but his shot down low to Rochet's left was saved by La Celeste's stopper.
Just minutes later, Darwin Nunez was played in behind and lofted the ball over Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, but Mohammed Salisu was able to recover and hook the ball clear before it crossed the line.
On 26 minutes, Uruguay took the lead, when Luis Suarez was found inside the box and he cut inside before firing a shot across goal. Ati-Zigi did well to save, but de Arrascaeta was in the right place at the right time to head home from just a yard out.
La Celeste doubled their advantage minutes later, through the same combination, as Suarez lofted the ball to de Arrascaeta, before the midfielder thumped an unstoppable volley into the back of the net.
Ghana looked to find a way back into the match before the break, with Kudus seeing a vicious strike from distance blocked by the stern Uruguay defence.
#GHA and #URU have gone full CHAOS! 😳
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 2, 2022
Who said first halves at this World Cup were supposed to be dull? 🤯#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/35badRTxcK
Just moments after the restart, Ghana went close, with substitute Osman Bukari finding space in the box, but he dragged his effort wide.
On the hour, Uruguay thought they had been awarded a penalty, as Nunez was taken down by Daniel Amartey in the box. Following another VAR review, the referee decided not to award La Celeste a spot-kick, ruling that the Ghana defender got the ball.
A huge opportunity fell to Pellistri shortly after, with the winger receiving the ball in the box after good work down the Uruguay left. The young Red turned and fired powerfully towards goal, but his shot flew inches wide of the post.
As the match entered the closing stages, Ghana started to pile on the pressure. Antoine Semenyo, who was introduced as a second-half substitute, had a golden opportunity on the left side of the box, but dragged his left-footed effort agonisingly wide.
With just five minutes left to go, news began to filter through of South Korea's 2-1 win against Portugal, meaning that Uruguay needed one more goal to book their place in the World Cup's last 16.
In additional time, Maximiliano Gonzalez led a threatening counter, but Ati-Zigi did well to turn it around the post. Almost immediately after, Kudus saw his shot saved by Rochet, as the match became end-to-end.
🗣️ "For me it was a penalty."
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 2, 2022
🗣️ "There's definite contact"
Mauricio Pochettino, @rioferdy5 and @alanshearer were all surprised that Uruguay weren't awarded a late penalty against Ghana.#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/uDdXLnlVVh
Former United striker Edinson Cavani was sent through on goal and appeared to be taken down by Alidu Seidu, but his shouts were waved away as Uruguay desperately searched for a third goal to send them through.
With what would be the final chance for Alonso's side, Sebastian Coates, up from the back, prodded an effort wide after being found with a low cross.
Despite the late flurry of action, the match finished 2-0, meaning both Uruguay and Ghana are eliminated, with Portugal and South Korea advancing to the last 16.