Ghana becomes only team in World Cup history to miss two penalties against the same opponent

Ghana have become the only team in the history of the FIFA World Cup to fail to convert two penalties against the same opponent.

Having missed spot kicks against Uruguay in 2010 and 2022, Ghana are in the World Cup’s record books after a fresh heartbreaking penalty miss by captain André Ayew.

In the 2010 quarter-final, Luis Suarez was shown a straight red card for deliberately keeping out Dominic Adiyiah’s goal-bound header with his hands. 

READ ALSO: Fans berate football legend Abedi Pele after son, Dede Ayew, misses penalty

Although Ghana were awarded a penalty to try to win the game, which was tied at 1-1, Asamoah Gyan crashed his spot kick off the bar and Uruguay went on to book a semifinal against the Netherlands by winning 4-2 on penalties.

The incident was one of the most controversial in World Cup history and denied Ghana the chance to become the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the competition.

SEE ALSO: Don’t return to Ghana – Social media users warn Dede Ayew for penalty miss against Uruguay

Twelve years later, Uruguay and Ghana reunited in the group stages on Friday and the winner would’ve knocked the other out of the tournament.

Ghana were awarded a spot-kick in the first half of the match after goalkeeper Sergio Rochet’s challenge on forward Mohammed Kudus. Ayew stepped up to take the penalty but was denied as Rochet dropped down to his left to save.

READ MORE: ‘Asamoah Gyan can now rest’ – Ghanaians on Ayew’s penalty miss

Uruguay were knocked out of the World Cup on goals scored despite beating Ghana 2-0 after South Korea’s dramatic win against Portugal in the final Group H matches.

Meanwhile, Ghana coach Otto Addo has stepped down from his role after missing a chance to get revenge on Uruguay.