The needle between Ghana and Uruguay was once again palpable during their final World Cup Group H clash, with tensions reaching fever pitch when Liverpool star Darwin Núñez was booked for appearing to try and scuff up the penalty spot.
In the 16th minute, Mohammed Kudus lifted the ball over Sergio Rochet in the Uruguayan goal before being brought down, but referee Daniel Siebert pointed for a goal kick. However, the VAR told Siebert to go to the monitor and, rest assured, the decision was reversed.
As soon as the referee pointed to the spot, Luis Suarez was incensed and let his protestations be known as he screamed in Siebert's face. All the while, Ghana's players rushed to the penalty spot to form a protective circle around the penalty spot, pre-empting some potential foul play from the Uruguayans.
READ MORE: Uruguay v Ghana - what did Luis Suarez do at the 2010 World Cup and why is he being booed?
And it seems they were right to do so, because Liverpool striker Núñez saw an opening and stuck his left foot between the Ghanaians' legs and appeared to try to rake the penalty spot with the bottom of his studs.
He was promptly pushed away by Ghana's players and the incident did not go unnoticed as Siebert brandished the yellow card to the Anfield ace.
Watch the video below
Even if that was Núñez's intention, it does not legislate for just how awful Andre Ayew's subsequent penalty kick was. He hit it low and slightly to the goalkeeper's left and it was saved comfortably.
This game has got history for controversy, remember. Twelve years ago, in South Africa, Suarez was sent off in the last minute of extra time in the quarter-final for denying the Black Stars a goal with a deliberate handball on the goal line.
Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty and Uruguay went through. Before Friday's match, the Uruguay striker was asked whether he was sorry for the incident, to which he replied: "The Ghana player missed the penalty, not me. I don't apologise for it. I apologise if I injure a player but I took a red card for the handball. It wasn't my fault because I didn't miss the penalty."
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