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2010 World Cup: Uruguay 1-1 (4-2) Ghana – Report

Angela Asante, July 2 2010,
Africa has been silenced. The Black Stars of Ghana cruelly lost 4-2 on penalties against Uruguay after playing a 1-1 draw in normal time. Drama and tragedy hit the Black Continent and its millions of supporters around the world as Asamoah Gyan missed a last-second penalty before the game went to a penalty shoot-out.

Uruguay celebrate as they reach the semis.
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Oscar Tabarez inspired his side to play intelligent tactics in the first period. The Uruguayans were dominating with authority in their own half and with power upfront. Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan created problems for the Black Stars. Before the hour mark, Uruguay had won more than five corners.

But German-born Kevin-Prince Boateng took the responsibility of pushing the game forward. His admirable touches, runs, and passes enabled the Ghanaians to breath in defense. Still, Richard Kingson was a very busy goalkeeper. But in the 30th minute, Isaac Vorsah – who replaced the suspended Jonathan Mensah – almost stunned Uruguay with a firing header that flashed just wide.

 

When Diego Lugano came off in the 38th minute due to injury, Diego Forlan was awarded the captain’s armband. The Europa League winner looked determine to make history with his side and to stand firm against the Black Stars of Ghana who were carrying the hope of an entire continent to break the quarter-final curse suffered by African teams in the past.

However, despite all of Uruguay’s first half domination, it was the Ghanaians who got the first goal through Sulley Ali Muntari’s excellent strike from 30 yards in the dying minutes of the first period. That was definitely the best way for the controversial midfielder to celebrate his first appearance as a starter in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

But Diego Forlan restored Uruguay’s pride through a curling free-kick in the 55th minute. Ghanaian defender John Paintsil might have been disgusted to have tackled Fucile as this is what led to Uruguay’s equalizer.

Kingson started to show signs of nervousness. The goalkeeper conceded a cheap corner as he let the ball behind in attempt to take a goal kick. But with all the corners that they had, the Uruguayans couldn’t punish the Black Stars. In the 66th minute of the match, Kevin-Prince Boateng was recklessly brought down in the box after being surrounded by three Uruguayan defenders. Penalty, shouted the crowd. It was surprising to see the Portuguese referee wave away the protest. How a good decision might have changed the course of the game!

But this was not to be. Both teams worked hard – each one trying to complete its mission. Luis Suarez came close to steal a win for Uruguay in the 70th minute, but goalkeeper Richard Kingson was alert to clear the danger.

Like it happened against the USA, and like it happened for both Cameroon and Senegal at that same stage of the competition, Ghana had to head into extra-time to decide the winner.Diego Forlan and Asamoah Gyan had an equal chance to clinch victory for their respecGhana's Asamoah Gyan dejected.tive side.

But it was not until the final minute of the match that drama put all spectators on their feet. Ghana wanted to make all pressure count. As they attempted to grab a very late win, they knocked on Uruguay’s door through ambitious strikes. The last of those was a header which Uruguay’s Luis Suarez shamefully punched away with his two hands. Consequence: red card to the striker, penalty for Ghana. Now the opportunity had fell right in front of the Ghanaians to end the night on a beautiful note as Asamoah Gyan was ready to convert the spot-kick.

But as everyone thought that it was the end of the road for Uruguay, the most unfortunate thing for the Africans occurred. Asamoah Gyan, the man whose goals fired Ghana from the group stages to the quarter-finals of the competition, blew the hopes of almost 1 billion people by smashing the Jabulani ball against the crossbar. Any coincidence with Didier Drogba's shot that got cleared off the line by Cannavaro in the Nike Write The Future Advert?

La Celeste Olimpica had survived and red-carded Luis Suarez – who was watching from outside the tunnel – celebrated this moment as if he had scored the winning goal.

Ghana players dejected as Uruguay reach the semis.The Last Brazilians

Disappointment; the Black Stars’ spirit went down and suddenly, the Uruguayans grew confident ahead of the penalty shoot-out. Fear had overcome the whole of Africa. Captain John Mensah and Africa’s Young Player of the Year Dominic Adiyiah missed their penalties as Abreu scored the decisive kick to fire Uruguay into the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

So, ‘Asia’s Brazilians’ Japan are out. Europe’s Brazilians Portugal crashed out as well. Brazil got dumped out by the Netherlands and ‘Africa’s Brazil’ Ghana suffered an exit in the most dramatic manner.

There are no more ‘Brazilians’ in South Africa. Ghana will be remembered as “The Last Brazilians” to have crashed out from the 2010 FIFA World Cup without medals. Asamoah Gyan, who had been Africa’s hero throughout the tournament until the unfortunate events that happened tonight, will forever carry bitterness in his heart. As for La Celeste Olimpica of Uruguay, they’ll hope to get past the Netherlands in the semi-finals on their way to the heavens.
 

 

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