Ghana's penalty misery against Uruguay continued on Friday as Andre Ayew saw his spot-kick saved by Sergio Rochet in the teams' Group H clash at the 2022 World Cup.
After Luis Suarez had handled a goalbound shot right at the end of extra time in the sides' 2010 World Cup quarter-final in South Africa, Asamoah Gyan smashed the resulting penalty against the crossbar.
Had he scored it, Ghana would have become the first African team to make it to the semi-finals of the World Cup and they had another chance in the shootout.
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But they were denied as Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saved from John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah to hand the South Americans a 4-2 win on penalties and a place in the last four.
And in their first match since 2010, Ghana won another penalty as Mohammed Kudus went down under a challenge from Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
Following a lengthy VAR check, the spot-kick was awarded, but Ayew's low shot was comfortably saved by Rochet to his left.
"Awful penalty," former striker Dion Dublin said on BBC Two. "I know the pressure is on him, but if you don't want to take it, don't step up. Strike the ball with venom, laces or side-foot into the corner."
To make matters worse for Ghana, Uruguay midfielder Giorgan de Arrascaeta scored twice to give the South Americans a 2-0 lead at half-time and leave the Black Stars with a mountain to climb in the second half.
