AL WAKRAH, Qatar — After being eliminated from the World Cup though 2-0 win gana on Friday, Uruguay coach Diego Alonso blamed his country’s failure to progress through the group stage on an executive error in the team’s previous game against Portugal.
“We were eliminated because Portugal had a penalty and goal difference,” Alonso said through a FIFA interpreter. “That is not the problem [from a 0-0 draw against South Korea], instead of vice versa. We don’t go out for that point. That’s because the penalty awarded in extra time, according to FIFA, is not a penalty.”
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The penalty in question was taken in the 89th minute when Portugal were leading 1-0. Uruguayan defender Jose Maria Gimenez made a slip in the box and the ball grazed his arm as he spread his arms for support as he fell backwards.
Referee Alireza Faghani of Iran initially did not award the penalty but was advised to consult the VAR, which led to this decision. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty to make it 2-0.
Alonso has a legitimate complaint after the International Football Association Board (IFAB) clarified the handball rules in 2021, when the body said the penalty should not be imposed when “the position of the arm is for support when falling or when getting up from the field”. soil.”
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However, that doesn’t change the fact that Uruguay started Matchday 3 on points with South Korea while leading by a single goal on goal difference, with two goals scored less. . For teams on points, goal difference is the first deciding factor and the number of goals scored is the second.
When Korea scored in extra time against Portugal to make it 2-1, it meant Uruguay needed one more goal to take the lead on goal difference. That goal never came.
“We had many opportunities to do it but in the end we couldn’t,” said Alonso. “And, of course, the emotional aspect is important but we still fought to get through the qualifiers. We had four or five chances in the last minutes but unfortunately couldn’t make it.”
Starting the first tournament, Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored both goals in the first half for Uruguay after the goalkeeper Sergio Rochet save Ghana captain’s penalty Andre Ayew. Both teams started the day with a chance to advance and were eliminated as a result.
