2010 World Cup: Ghana v Uruguay full time report
Ghana 1 Uruguay 1 (Uruguay win 4-2 on penalties)
Uruguay are through to the semi-finals after winning on penalties in a pulsating quarter-final match at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
They will now play the Netherlands in the semi-final in Cape Town next Tuesday night.
Sulley Muntari’s wonder strike gave Ghana the lead on the stroke of half time. His long-range shot caught Uruguayan keeper Fernando Muslera out, who was beaten by sheer pace.
Diego Forlán equalised with his third goal of the tournament as he superbly fired home a free-kick from the edge of the box on 55 minutes. Once again it was another World Cup goal for Forlán against an African side.
There was huge drama at the end of extra-time, as Asamoah Gyan- who scored two out of two penalties so far- had the chance with the last kick of the match to send Ghana through, but he hit the bar from the penalty spot after Suárez was red-carded for handling on the line.
The first half was a half of two halves, as Ghana struggled to get into the game with Uruguay on the front foot. On 10 minutes, Luis Suárez, the hero from Uruguay’s last game against South Korea, beat the offside trap, and on the edge of the box jinked his way past the defender and shot straight at Ghanaian keeper Richard Kingson.
Five minutes later Forlán’s corner was flicked on by Edinson Cavani, which then flicked off John Mensah and was saved by Kingson’s head.
Suárez once again tested Kingson, who pulled off a fine save after the Uruguayan striker smashed a shot on target.
Ghana were unable to get into the game, looking as though the occasion was getting to them. It took them half an hour to find their feet, and with their first chance they should have scored.
Defender Isaac Vorsah headed wide from Muntari’s corner. A minute later, a quick counter-attack from the African side resulted in Kevin-Prince Boateng picking out Gyan, who steered his shot inches wide of the post.
Muntari headed wide as he sneaked in on the far post, while Boateng was the key to Ghana’s attacks as he was finding space. His overhead kick a couple of minutes from half time almost found its way in.
There was disappointment for Uruguay as their skipper Diego Lugano came off with an injury, and without Diego Godín, they were without their first choice centre-back pairing.
The second half opened up, with both sides intent on attacking. Gyan, who wasn’t flagged for offside, was put through by Boateng, and his shot was well saved at the near post.
On 63 minutes, the ever-impressive Forlán put in a delicious cross, which sucked out Kingson, but Suárez from a difficult angle found the side netting.
Nicolás Lodeiro seven minutes later threaded a pass for Suárez, whose toe-poked effort was pushed away well by Kingson over the bar.
Once again, it was a personal duel between Suárez and Kingson, who saved at his near post from a stooping header on 77 minutes.
Uruguay attacked direct from a Ghanaian corner, with their right-back Maxi Pereira shooting over the bar.
Ghana looked the fresher side in extra-time, despite for the second match in a row where they had to play an additional half an hour.
Gyan had a header that went over the bar, while Forlán shot left-footed high and wide.
Andres Scotti almost stuck the ball into his own net five minutes before the end after Gyan bustled his way through the Uruguayan defence.
Boateng could have won the game for Ghana but his header from close range was a fraction off target. Boateng’s deflected cross was excellently saved by Muslera.
Ghana gave a great account of themselves at this World Cup, but the golden chance was missed by Gyan to make history.
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