Not for the timid, the Uruguay-Ghana quarterfinal was intense. We bring back memories of an old favorite before their reunion on Friday.
It is a game well known for Luis Suarez’s irrational gesture of selflessness.
However, there was much more to the quarterfinal match between Ghana and Uruguay in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Then the center forward’s handball in the waning seconds of extra time. The red card given for his improper intervention, and the subsequent missed penalty by Asamoah Gyan prevented Ghana from moving on to the semifinals.
-A spot in the round of 16 is on the line as Ghana plays Uruguay on Friday.
-The game is bringing back memories of a fantastic battle from 2010. With Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalties and Luis Suarez’s handball among the highlights.
Two magical moments had brightened up a competitive 90 minutes. The opening goal was scored by Sulley Muntari, who fired a shot from around 35 yards. Out that deflected past Fernando Muslera of Uruguay just as Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca was about to sound the halftime horn.
Ghana was attempting to advance to the World Cup semifinals for the first time as an African team. Diego Forlan curled in a second-half free-kick that confused Richard Kingson in the Ghana goal as it veered ferociously through the air.
In the final few seconds of extra time, the score remained tied at 1. The drama then started. As Gyan’s penalty kick hit the top of the crossbar. The then-Ajax forward who had been dismissed from the game celebrated at the exit of the tunnel.
Stephen Appiah’s shot was legitimately stopped by Suarez, who then raised his hand to block Dominic Adiyiah’s follow-up attempt that was headed for the goal.
Sebastian Abreu’s stunning Panenka-style chip won the penalty shootout in Uruguay’s favor.