World Cup 2022: Uruguay v Ghana, one point and a chance to settle two scores
Suarez could retire if Uruguay are knocked out by Ghana, 12 years after the famous handball in South Africa.
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Two handballs have gone down in World Cup folklore: that of "God" Maradona, which England still cannot stomach, and that of "Devil" Suarez, which many Africans still mourn. El Pibe has gone to join the heavens, but Luis is still here, and he still relishes what he did. As if to show he has no regrets, the Uruguay striker faced the press on the eve of the reunion with Ghana. He stood his ground in front of the Ghanaian journalists. "I don't need to apologise. I would apologise if I had injured a player, but in this situation I handled the ball, I got a red card and the Ghanaian player missed the penalty. It's not my fault. I didn't miss the penalty. It's not my responsibility," he said.
12 years on...
We're behind you, @GhanaBlackstars! 🇬🇭
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 1, 2022
Suarez to retire?
Twelve years on, his side need him again, this time for his striker's instinct if they are to have any hope of qualifying. Uruguay are, in fact, the only nation yet to score at this World Cup. With one point on the board, La Celeste must beat Ghana to have a chance of getting out of the group and knocking out the Black Stars once again. It is a scenario Ghanaians find unthinkable.
Since the draw for this 25th edition, and the schedule that set up the rematch for the 3rd and final matchday, Andre Ayew and his team-mates have dreamed of only one thing: knocking out Uruguay and, in doing so, perhaps sending Luis Suarez into international retirement. It would certainly be symbolic for many Ghanaians to know that the former Barça star's last match was a World Cup exit against their national team. For that, a draw is all they need.