There were some unsavoury scenes after Uruguay were dumped out of the World Cup at the group stages, with players hounding the referee following the final whistle.
More group-stage drama saw the South American side knocked out of the tournament despite beating fierce rivals Ghana 2-0 on Friday. Former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez notched two assists as Giorgian de Arrascaeta put Uruguay in control and seemingly into the last-16.
However, a late winner for South Korea against Group H winners Portugal meant they leapfrogged Uruguay, incredibly on goals scored, as both teams’ points and goal difference was identical.
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Suarez, as well as goalscorer de Arrascaeta and striker Darwin Nunez, had been taken off with their side's passage to the next round seemingly secure. Suarez was pictured on the bench almost in tears as news of Hwang Hee-chan’s goal in the South Korea v Portugal game came through.
Even after the drama, Edinson Cavani had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down, which if converted would have sent Uruguay into the next round at the expense of South Korea, as a third goal would have given them a superior goal difference. However, the referee was not called over to check the VAR screen at the side of the pitch, something which led to huge protests at the final whistle.
Uruguay’s exit is likely to mean that Suarez and Cavani have played their last ever World Cup games. It represents another dramatic finish in the 2022 World Cup after a week of high drama in the final round of the group stages.
South Korea will now likely face Brazil in the second round on Monday.
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