Ghana v Uruguay, 02 December 2022

Kick-off: 6.00pm local (3.00pm GMT) . FIFA world ranking: Ghana 61, Uruguay 14 . Portugal had already secured their place in the Round of 16 prior to this final group game. Uruguay had to win but, due to Korea Republic’s 2-1 win against Portugal, were eliminated due to Korea scoring more goals (four to two) as they finished level on points and goal difference. . Ghana finished bottom of the Group H table. . At their fourth participation, Ghana would have reached the knockout stages of the World Cup finals for a third time with a win in this game; also in 2006 and 2010 (group stage only in 2014). . Ghana failed in their attempt to win consecutive games at the World Cup finals for the second time; previously in 2006. . Ghana failed in their attempt to equal Nigeria's record of an African nation scoring in eight consecutive games at the World Cup finals (set in 1994 and 1998). . With two goals in the first two games, Mohammed Kudus failed in his attempt to become the second player to score three goals at a World Cup tournament after Asamoah Gyan in 2010 in South Africa. . Andre Ayew made his 11th appearance at the World Cup finals. Only fellow Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan and François Omam-Biyik of Cameroon had now played as many games at the tournaments for African nations (both 11). . Uruguay avoided losing their final group game of a World Cup tournament since 1974 against Sweden in Dusseldorf. . Uruguay avoided losing two group games at a World Cup tournament for the first time since 1974. . Giorgian de Arrascaeta became the first player to score two goals in the first-half of a game at the World Cup finals for Uruguay since Peñarol forward Oscar Miguez against Bolivia in 1950. . Uruguay avoided failing to score in four consecutive games at the World Cup finals for the first time. . Uruguay avoided becoming the first South American team to play three games in a group stage of a World Cup finals without scoring since Peru in the second group phase in 1978. . Uruguay remained unbeaten at the World Cup finals against African nations (played five, won three). . The only previous meeting was in the World Cup Quarter-final in Johannesburg in 2010. Luis Suárez’s controversial handball at the end of extra-time subsequently denied Ghana becoming Africa’s first-ever semi-finalists. Suárez became the only player to start in both games. .