Luis Suarez has hinted that Ghana were solely responsible for their failure to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2010.
Suarez was embroiled in controversy when he was sent off for handball in the latter stages of Ghana’s quarter-final against Uruguay.
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Suarez was sent off in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals for blatant handball
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Suarez picked up a deliberate red card to keep his side’s World Cup alive
With the match locked at 1-1, Suarez used his hand to stop Dominic Adiyah from scoring the winning goal.
The ex-Liverpool striker then celebrated profusely in the tunnel after Asamoah Gyan’s kick smashed into the crossbar which ultimately saw Uruguay win on penalties.
While the Ghana players have put the situation behind them, many fans have not and continue to view Suarez in a negative light 12 years later.
Ahead of Friday’s meeting between the two nations, Ghana have the opportunity to exact revenge on Suarez and co by prematurely excluding them from the tournament.
An exit could also see the striker end his international career after a 15-year spell for his country while becoming Uruguay’s all-time top scorer with 68 goals.
Suarez took part in Thursday’s pre-match press conference in what was always likely to produce fireworks ahead of the Group H clash.
Uruguay players celebrated as Asamoah Gyan’s penalty hit the crossbar
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Suarez was asked about the infamous incident in 2010
A Ghanaian journalist told the striker that many people in Ghana consider him “the devil himself” and are eagerly waiting to take him down.
Suarez took the microphone and replied: “The first time [2010], I make no apologies. I take the handball – but the Ghanaian player missed a penalty, not me. Maybe I apologize if I hurt a player but in this situation I get a red card, the referee says penalty, it’s not my fault.
The added spice of Suarez’s previous antics only adds to what is a crucial game for both sides.
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Suarez has struggled for form so far throughout the World Cup in Qatar
A win or draw for Ghana would ensure a safe passage to the knockout stages while excluding Uruguay and South Korea from the competition.
However, a victory for Uruguay could see them through to the knockout stages if South Korea fail to beat group leaders Portugal.
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