Uruguay wakes up late, carries out the task it had to do by winning against Ghana.
But South Korea's unexpected victory over Portugal renders any effort futile, even overshadowing the Africans' desire to "avenge" the memory of Luis Suarez's hand ball in South Africa 12 years ago.
The Koreans advance to the round of 16 thanks to the highest number of goals scored.
The final siege against referee Siebert was also useless, guilty in the eyes of the Uruguayans of not having punished an alleged foul in the area on Cavani, who also gets a yellow card.
The 'Celeste' has the obligation to win to pass the round, and starts the match by pressing on Ghana with greater conviction.
Coach Alonso returns to relying on Suarez and Nunez forward, supported on the wings by Pellistri and De Arrascaeta.
FIFA World Cup 2022 - Group H Ghana vs Uruguay
After a timid attempt by Nunez, who lost the ball on the edge of the area, it was Ghana who had the most sensational chance to take the lead in the 16th minute.
After the check by the Var, the referee Siebert whistles a penalty to the 'black stars' for a foul by Rochet, who after having rejected a shot by Jordan Ayew overwhelms Kudus who pounces on the ball.
The foul is evident, but at the moment of the shot the other Ayew, Andre, seems to cover the Uruguayan goalkeeper.
Andre Ayew shows up on the penalty spot, but shoots weakly and centrally, and Rochet saves.
The narrow escape seems to "wake up" Uruguay, who begin to press harder, and six minutes later take the lead: Suarez, after two straight shots from the Ghanaian defenders on Pellistri's cross from the right, controls the ball in the area and kicks from the left, finding the rejected by Ati-Zigi, which however De Arrascaeta pounces on and heads the ball into the net
.
It is the first Uruguayan goal of this World Cup.
Ghana swerves, and Uruguay takes the opportunity to increase the pressure.
In the 23rd minute Nunez tries with a lob from a right winger, who overtakes Ati-Zigi but is swept onto the line by Salisu.
The doubling is in the air and takes place in the 32nd minute, again with De Arrascaeta, this time with a nice right-footed volley, on another support from Suarez, who lifts the ball into the area on the left.
The Flamengo winger coordinates and volleys with first intention, catching Ati-Zigi unprepared.
At the beginning of the recovery, Ghana seems more enterprising but remains imprecise.
In the 14th minute a deep ball from De Arrascaeta reaches Nunez in the area.
After making contact with Amartey, the Liverpool forward went down and Ati-Zigi took the ball.
FIFA World Cup 2022 - Group H Ghana vs Uruguay
The referee doesn't blow his whistle at first but is called back by the Var;
at the check the decision is confirmed in any case.
Six minutes later there is a triangulation in the area between Suarez, Nunez and Pellistri, who finds the space to shoot at the near post but the ball just goes out.
Alonso changes the front of attack, letting out the tired Suarez and inserting Cavani.
Ghana didn't seem to insist too much, but Semenyo - who replaced the dull Williams - attempted a diagonal shot from inside the penalty area in the 34th minute, sending the ball not far from the post to Rochet's left.
The game now seems to continue slowly towards a 'quiet' final, with the teams controlling each other, when, a few minutes before the 90th minute, the news suddenly arrives of South Korea's advantage, which reached injury time against Portugal.
Desperation on the Celeste bench, Suarez back on the bench hides his face under the shirt, and the eleven on the pitch try to press with their last energy, hoping for the usual long recovery, from eight minutes.
Thus, two minutes from the 90th minute, a cross from Canobbio's left found Cavani in the center of the area who headed into the corner, and Ati-Zigi rejected.
However, the attacker was offside.
In the 5th minute of added time Maxi Gomez shoots hard into the bottom corner, and the Ghana goalkeeper performs another miracle.
The schemes jump and even Ghana is presented on the edge of the Uruguayan area, without however stinging too much.
At the final whistle, the South American players surround referee Siebert for a final protest, but it's still too late.