2010 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinal – Uruguay Versus Ghana

By D. Victor
for SoccerMyLife.com

Published: September 2, 2010

The start of the match between Uruguay and Ghana belied the epic drama that defined the end of the game. Ghana carried the hopes of the African continent and was on the cusp of World Cup history, with the chance to become the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Uruguay, as former World Cup champions, had been there already. The South Americans were hoping to reach their first semi-final since 1970. The high-stakes contest went right down to the wire, with the drama of kicks from the penalty mark. The game also had mild controversy, with accusations of cheating as Luis Suarez denied the goal that would have put the Black Stars through. Instead, Uruguay prevailed with kicks from the penalty mark.

At Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, Uruguay had the better of the opening exchanges without creating clear-cut chances. Ghana had the first good chance of the game in the 31st minute through Asamoah Gyan. The first half meandered until added time at the end of the half. Sulley Muntari, in his first start of the tournament, fired a shot from close to 40 yards. The Uruguayan goalkeeper was initially drifting to his right and had to dive left after he spotted Muntari’s audacious shot. Ghana took the lead with virtually the last play of the first half.

In the second half, Uruguay found the equalizer as early as the 54th minute, from a Diego Forlan free kick. Richard Kingson, in goal for Ghana, misjudged the kick and game off his line. Forlan’s shot dipped over his outstretched hands and into the corner of the net. The game sprung to life and Uruguay had a few more good chances in regulation time. However, at the end of regulation time, the score was tied at 1-1; extra time was needed to separate the two.

Although both teams had decent chances in extra time, the match seemed to be headed to kicks from the penalty mark. In the 120th minute, Fernando Muslera – in goal for Uruguay – saved a shot resulting from a Ghana free kick. The ball rebounded and Ghana had another shot on goal. Striker Luis Suarez – in goalkeeper style – cleared the second shot off the line. The referee showed him the red card and sent him off for denying a goal and awarded Ghana a penalty kick. Asamoah Gyan stepped up to take it, with the hopes of a continent on his shoulders. With a short, quick run-up, he drove the ball fiercely against the cross bar.

Immediately after Gyan’s miss, extra time was over. Kicks from the penalty mark were necessary to decide the tie. Uruguay kicked first, with Asamoah Gyan taking the first penalty for the Black Stars. Fortunately, for many fans at Soccer City, the Ghanaians scored their first two penalties. However, John Mensah hit a weak effort that Muslera saved easily; Uruguay led 3-2. Then, Maxi Periera skied the Jabulani ball way over the bar. Adiyiah had the chance to tie the scores for Ghana, but he followed Mensah’s example and hit a weak shot that Muslera saved as well. Sebastian Abreu cheekily lobbed the ball down the middle of the goal to seal Uruguay’s passage into the semi-finals for the first time in 40 years.

Every World Cup has its controversies and the 2010 tournament is no different. Read about some of the card-happy referees at the 2010 edition here: http://www.helium.com/items/1868518-referee-mistakes-at-world-cup

Author: D. Victor
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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