FIFA World Cup 2010: Ghana 1-1 Uruguay - 90 Minutes
Yet another game went into extra time as neither Ghana nor Uruguay were able to find a winner in normal time. The second quarter-final will decide who plays the Netherlands in the semi-final, after the Dutch beat favourites Brazil in the match played earlier. Ghana reached the quarter-final by beating the USA in the round of 16 whereas Uruguay reached this stage by defeating South Korea. Ghana are the only representatives of Africa left in the tournament whereas Uruguay are one of three South Americans currently left, with the elimination of Brazil today.
The first half of the game was just shaded by the Ghanaians who scored right at the death to give themselves a 1-0 going into half time. The goal was just about the last kick of the first half, and the Uruguayans had an up-hill climb after that.
It was the Inter Milan man, Sulley Muntari, who opened the scoring for the Africans. His shot from about 30 yards surprised the Uruguayan keeper, Muslera, who took ages to react to a dipping shot by the Ghanaian midfielder. As it stood, the Africans would have backed themselves to hold on to the lead and book a place in the semi-final.
The Uruguayans, though, had other plans. In the second half, the South Americans played with much more intensity and looked far more dangerous. Ghanaian goalkeeper, Kingston, has had a very good tournament and it was always going to take something very special to beat him. Uruguay have many players capable of providing something just like that, and none are more capable than Diego Forlan. The Atletico Madrid forward equalized with a sublime 25 yard shot which left no chance for the Ghanaian goalkeeper. Since the goal came early in the second half, in the 54th minute, it meant that it was now anybody's game to win.
Uruguay had an excellent chance to grab the lead in the 77th minute, when a well-aimed Forlan free-kick found the head of Luis Suarez but the Ajax hitman could not find a way past the impressive Kingston and Ghana managed to hold on. The score 1-1 was fair at the end of the 90 minutes as both sides had a lot of shots on goal but neither managed to score more than 1 goal. Both sides had 3 bookings each with Fucile, Perez and Arevalo booked for Uruguay and Pantsil, Mensah and Sarpai booked for Ghana.
For Uruguay, Forlan was particularly impressive in the 90 minutes, maintaining his form from the group stages and the first knock-out round. Ghana's performance has been more team oriented but Mensah, in the middle of the park, has been immense for the Africans along with the goalkeeper, Kingston.
With the match heading into extra time, there is a very real possibility of a penalty shoot-out. Neither side will want it to go that far, though, and will be looking to settle the game in extra time. Ghana have one substitute remaining still, so they can bring on a pair of fresh legs to change the game but Uruguay have made all the changes they can so they will have to push through the pain barrier.
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