Seeing as though they could not be separated on the pitch, having played out a 2-2 draw in their final group fixture, it took goal difference to spilt Ghana and Uruguay, with the Africans pipping their South American counterparts by just one goal. This was a group where these two teams dominated, with England and Uzbekistan serving simply to make up the numbers.
The final standings
1. Ghana, 7 points,
2. Uruguay, 7 points
3. Uzbekistan, 1 point
4. England, 1 point
What's next
Ghana-3BEF, Ismailia, Tuesday 6 October, 16:30 (local time)
1E-Uruguay, Port Said, Wednesday 7 October, 16:30 (local time)
The tale of the teams
Ghana: The group's principal entertainers were given a shock in their opening game when Uzbekistan took the lead, but they quickly recovered to win that match 2-1 before strolling past England 4-0. They looked comfortable against Uruguay until Mohammed Rabiu was sent off and were given a late scare before eventually holding out for a 2-2 draw.
Uruguay: Tabare Viudez's stunning volley in the 84th minute against England got La Celeste's tournament off to a flier and they took that confidence into the next game by beating Uzbekistan by three goals to nil. They showed tremendous determination and team spirit to come from two goals behind against Ghana; qualities which will serve them well when they meet the winners of Group E in Port Said.
Uzbekistan: Prior to the tournament, coach Akhmad Ubaydullaev said that his aim was to reach the last 16, but in the face of quality opposition in Ghana and Uruguay, the central Asians stood little chance. The team's captain Sherzodbek Karimov sparkled for the Uzbeks in the two games he played; the midfielder could be one to watch out for in the coming years.
England: Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Jack Rodwell, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge. Just five of the reported 40 players made unavailable to coach Brian Eastick for this tournament. As a result the Three Lions were well-drilled tactically, but struggled to cope against their opposition. A bout of sickness which affected several members of the squad did not help their cause too, as did a lack of finesse in the final third.
Moments to savour
Spectacular strikes: Although Andre Ayew's long-range goal against England may have been the more spectacular, Viudez's scissor-kick against England was certainly the more dramatic. Having missed a host of chances and with the game heading for a 0-0 draw, the substitute met Jonathan Urretaviscaya's floated cross from the right with a fine volley, sending the ball past Elliott Parish and into the back of the net.
Knock on wood: However, the luck was with not with the Uruguayans in their next match against Uzbekistan as they hit the woodwork on six separate occasions, including a penalty miss from Santiago Garcia. Having lost out on top spot by one clear goal, La Celeste will be ruing those misses as they travel for their last 16 match.
Respect among rivals: In the spirit of fair play, Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh and his Uruguayan counterpart Diego Aguirre got together before the game between the two sides for a joint interview and photo opportunity with FIFA.com. The warmth and mutual respect between the two coaches was apparent both in their greeting and their words. "It's exactly how football should be," said Tetteh.
Drought ends: They say good things come to those who wait - and England were certainly made to wait for their first goal at a FIFA U-20 World Cup for 12 years. Almost 850 minutes of playing time had elapsed - that's over 14 hours and almost ten matches - before Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely got on the end of Jordan Parkes through ball to fire past Sherzod Azamov.
The numbers game
2 - There were 17 goals in Group D, but only two of them were scored in the first half. This was the group of the late goals, as in every single one of the group's six fixtures, the net bulged at least once in the last 15 minutes.
The closing remarks
"I think this group gave each team a good education for the future, because there was such a contrast in opposition. Uruguay are talented technically. The England team were extremely well organised and disciplined, even though they didn't have the players they should have. Uzbekistan set out to frustrate. My boys played beautiful, quick attacking football and I'm pleased we won the group," Sellas Tetteh, Ghana coach.
