Just the FAQs!

Group overview

Question: What teams were in Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and what were the results of the matches?

Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup included Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea. Matches took place between November 24 and December 2, 2022. Portugal topped the group, advancing with 6 points, followed by South Korea with 4 points. Notably, Uruguay was eliminated from the tournament, finishing third with 4 points, marking the first time they exited the group stages since 2002. South Korea's pivotal 2–1 victory over Portugal facilitated their advancement in the tournament.

Teams

Question: How did the four teams qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

The teams in Group H qualified as follows: Portugal qualified on March 29, 2022, as winners of UEFA second round Path C. Ghana also secured their qualification on March 29, 2022, by triumphing in the CAF third round. Uruguay qualified on March 24, 2022, by finishing third in the round robin CONMEBOL qualifiers. South Korea completed their qualification on February 1, 2022, by finishing as runners-up in the AFC third round Group A qualification. The group presented a diverse representation of football from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.

Standings

Question: What were the final standings of Group H, and how were the teams classified?

The final standings of Group H were as follows: 1st Place - Portugal: 3 matches played, 2 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss, 6 points. 2nd Place - South Korea: 3 matches played, 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 points. 3rd Place - Uruguay: 3 matches played, 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 points. 4th Place - Ghana: 3 matches played, 1 win, 0 draws, 2 losses, 3 points. The teams were classified based on points accumulated, with the top two advancing to the knockout stage, while the remaining teams were eliminated from the tournament.

Matches

Question: What were the key highlights from the matches in Group H?

The first match, on November 24, 2022, saw Portugal defeat Ghana 3-2, with Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the first male player to score in five World Cup tournaments. The second match on November 24 ended in a goalless draw between Uruguay and South Korea, causing Uruguay's elimination. South Korea's dramatic 2-1 win over Portugal on December 2, 2022, in stoppage time, allowed them to progress to the knockout stage alongside Portugal. Notably, Ghana's 0-2 loss against Uruguay caused both teams to be eliminated from the tournament without progressing beyond the group stages.

Discipline

Question: What was the disciplinary status in Group H and how did it affect the teams?

Group H had multiple yellow and red cards issued across matches. In total, fair play points served as tiebreakers in this group. Teams were penalized for cards received, with a first yellow card resulting in a 1 point deduction, indirect red card −3 points, and direct red card −4 points. Uruguay, for example, faced criticism and penalties from FIFA for unruly conduct after their final match against Ghana, reflecting the importance FIFA places on sportsmanship.

Discipline

Question: What unique disciplinary actions were taken following the matches in Group H?

Following the tumultuous match between Ghana and Uruguay, where emotions ran high, several Uruguayan players faced severe sanctions from FIFA due to their confrontational behavior directed at match officials. Players received varying lengths of bans based on the nature of their actions. Notably, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and defender José María Giménez received four-match bans, while Edinson Cavani and Diego Godín served one-game suspensions. This incident marked an unusual response to perceived injustices on the pitch, highlighting the need for sportsmanship at the highest levels of competition.

Group overview

Question: What notable historical context existed for the teams in Group H prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

Group H featured teams with rich histories in World Cup competition. Portugal, who had not won the tournament, had a previous best of third place in 1966, and they came into the tournament with significant expectations. Ghana, with a quarter-final appearance in 2010, sought redemption after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Uruguay, winners in both 1930 and 1950, aimed to revive their historic glory as they returned to the tournament after a disappointing exit in 2018. Lastly, South Korea, with their remarkable fourth-place finish in 2002, hoped to inspire their fans once again.

Matches

Question: What was the significance of Cristiano Ronaldo's goal in the match against Ghana during the World Cup?

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against Ghana was monumental as it marked him as the first male player to score in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments—2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Moreover, at the age of 37 years and 292 days, he became the second-oldest player to score in a World Cup match, just behind Roger Milla from Cameroon. This achievement further solidified his legacy as one of the greatest footballers in history, demonstrating his longevity and consistent performance on the world stage.

See also

Question: How did the historical performances of teams like Uruguay and Ghana impact their narratives in the 2022 World Cup?

The historical performances of Uruguay and Ghana cast a long shadow over their campaigns in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Uruguay, with its historic triumphs in the early tournaments, approached this World Cup aiming to solidify its legacy, yet it faced disappointment for exiting the group stages for the first time since 2002. On the other hand, Ghana, who gained fame for their dramatic run in the 2010 World Cup, entered with aspirations of regaining past glory. However, their failure to progress from the group stage fueled a narrative of underachievement which pointed to a decline in their footballing prowess over subsequent years. Both teams epitomized the blend of legacy and aspiration that defined their World Cup journeys in Qatar.

Teams

Question: How did the FIFA rankings of the teams in Group H change from March 2022 to October 2022?

In March 2022, Portugal was ranked 6th, Ghana was positioned at 60th, Uruguay held 14th place, and South Korea sat at 29th in the FIFA rankings. By October 2022, Portugal maintained its 6th position, South Korea climbed to 25th, Uruguay dropped to 14th, and Ghana fell to 61st. These movements reflect changes in performance leading up to the World Cup, emphasizing the competitive nature as teams prepared for international play.