[News Terms] Suarez's 'Demon Hand'

2010 South Africa World Cup, Suarez Foul Blocking Ghana's Semifinal Advance
2022 Qatar World Cup, Ghana Aiming to Block Uruguay's Round of 16

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] When selecting the greatest matches of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the Group H third-round matches between Korea and Portugal, and Ghana and Uruguay, held at midnight on the 3rd (Korean time), cannot be overlooked. While Korea drew attention for their dramatic victory over Portugal with Hwang Hee-chan's last-minute goal, the Ghana vs. Uruguay match was also a legendary game that will be remembered in football history.

Uruguay won 2-0 against Ghana that day. However, the scenes that unfolded in the final moments of the match showed a reversal of the winner and loser roles. Ghana was in a position where even a 2-2 draw could have allowed them to aim for advancement to the round of 16. Naturally, they should have focused on attacking to score at least one more goal, even if they conceded one more to their opponent (Uruguay).

But Ghana appeared to be consolidating their 0-2 defeat. The Ghana goalkeeper, who continued to make saves in the final moments, delayed goal kicks as much as possible. This was a clear sign of time-wasting. Ghana’s coach also joined the time-wasting effort by substituting players just before the end of the match. This is not a typical behavior for a team facing defeat.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

For Korea, it was crucial that Ghana did not concede any more goals to Uruguay. Although Korea won 2-1 with Hwang Hee-chan’s comeback goal, if Uruguay had scored one more goal against Ghana to finish 3-0, Korea could have been eliminated from the round of 16. Korean players, including Son Heung-min, anxiously watched the Ghana vs. Uruguay match immediately after their game against Portugal ended.

They cheered for Ghana to maintain their concentration until the end. African teams’ performance is heavily influenced by momentum. When their morale is high, they show such formidable skills that even facing Brazil or Spain is not intimidating. Conversely, when defeat seems likely, their concentration falters, increasing the possibility of conceding additional goals. However, Ghana did not lose focus until the very end that day. From the coach to the players, they showed unity.

In the end, Ghana held off Uruguay’s relentless attacks, and the match ended with a 2-0 victory for Uruguay. After the match, Ghana’s supporters were in a festive mood, while the victorious Uruguay team and their fans appeared dejected. Uruguay’s star global striker Su?rez was even seen crying.

The background to Ghana’s unusual(?) performance is related to the 2010 South Africa World Cup. In the first-ever World Cup held on the African continent, Ghana was expected to reach the semifinals. In the quarterfinal match between Ghana and Uruguay, Ghana was effectively robbed of victory. The culprit was Su?rez, who was dubbed the “Hand of the Devil.”

Ghana and Uruguay were evenly matched in regular time, ending 1-1. The match proceeded to extra time. Both teams continued to battle fiercely until a decisive moment just before the end of extra time. Amid a chaotic scramble in front of the goal, the ball struck a Ghana player’s head and was heading into the net, bypassing the goalkeeper. If the goal had counted, the match would have ended then, and Ghana would have become the first African team to reach the semifinals in a World Cup held on the African continent.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Su?rez committed a crucial foul by blocking the ball with his hand. Su?rez, an attacker and not the goalkeeper, stopped the ball with his hand. Naturally, Su?rez was sent off. Ghana was awarded a penalty kick. But Uruguay, facing near-certain defeat, gained a chance. If Ghana missed the penalty, the match would proceed to a penalty shootout, and if Uruguay won that, they would advance to the semifinals.

For Ghana, the nightmare scenario became reality. Ghana’s penalty kick hit the post and bounced out. Uruguay won the penalty shootout. Ghana was robbed of victory. Uruguay advanced to the semifinals thanks to Su?rez’s “Hand of the Devil.”

Ghana and Uruguay met again at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Uruguay desperately needed a victory by 3-0 or more. Ghana hoped to advance to the round of 16 on their own, but if that was not possible, their goal was to prevent Uruguay from advancing.

The Korean national team hoped Uruguay would perform well in the first half. From the middle of the second half, they hoped Ghana would perform well. With Korea’s advancement to the round of 16 depending on the result of the match between the two teams, Ghana showed remarkable concentration from the middle of the second half and finished the match 2-0.

Su?rez’s “Hand of the Devil,” which brought tears to Ghana in 2010, revived Ghana’s passion in 2022. Su?rez bowed his head and experienced the pain of elimination in the round of 16. Ghana avenged the grievance of 2010. The final Group H match held on the 3rd ended with scenes more dramatic than a movie.