After a heart-stopping last minute of extra-time play which saw Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan hit the crossbar on a final-second penalty shot, the Uruguay-Ghana World Cup quarterfinal match was settled with penalty kicks, and Uruguay held their nerves better than Ghana. Uruguay striker Luis Suarez prevented a sure goal with his hands and was shown a straight red card. Gyan was unable to make Uruguay pay and Ghana then lost in penalties 4-2 after a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes of play.
Uruguay came into the match looking to regain lost glory. After winning the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, the side hadn’t made it past the quarterfinals since 1970. After topping Group A and defeating South Korea to reach the semifinals, Uruguay had reason to hope this might be the year.
Ghana had fared somewhat worse in group play, scoring only two goals while winning, losing, and drawing its group matches. The side advances on goal differential, to face—and eliminate—USA in extra time.
But Ghana was full of hope because they were the last African team still in the tournament. Ghana played for the pride of the continent, with the full strength of the crowd behind it.
Hope for Ghana
Uruguay came into the match looking to regain lost glory. After winning the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, the side hadn’t made it past the quarterfinals since 1970. After topping Group A and defeating South Korea to reach the semifinals, Uruguay had reason to hope this might be the year.
Ghana had fared somewhat worse in group play, scoring only two goals while winning, losing, and drawing its group matches. The side advances on goal differential, to face—and eliminate—USA in extra time.
But Ghana was full of hope because they were the last African team still in the tournament. Ghana played for the pride of the continent, with the full strength of the crowd behind it.
Hope for Ghana
Uruguay came out strong, with strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez coming close with several good chances, but Ghanaian keeper Richard Kingson made several excellent saves.
