Without attempting to involve in the fierce debates surrounding the player, Live Soccer TV tries to explain the impact of Luis Suarez’s handball on Uruguay’s 2010 World Cup fate.
Luis Suarez’s ‘Hand of the Devil’ – A Sacrifice Without Reward
Contrarily to Diego Maradona’s popular ‘Hand of God’ against England in the 1986 World Cup, Luis Suarez’s controversial gesture against Ghana in the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup has widely been portrayed in Africa and around the world as the ‘Hand of the Devil’. The video below will help you remember how Luis Suarez transformed into a hero in Uruguay and a criminal in Africa like in some other parts of the world.
It’s easy to understand how luck and Luis Suarez’s ‘Hand of the Devil’ prevented a nation backed by an entire continent that wanted Africa's quarter-final jinx to be broken on African soil. It cost Luis Suarez the red card penalty to save his team from losing in the last seconds of the match. His punch off-the-line of Dominic Adiyiah’s header which would have definitely resulted into a goal was the sacrifice that the Uruguayans needed before finding luck through Asamoah Gyan’s resulting penalty miss.
The referee on that day didn’t think twice before flashing a straight red card to striker Luis Suarez. He was sentenced to a one-match ban – meaning that he had been ruled out of Uruguay’s semi-final clash against the Netherlands.
As all Africa was against La Celeste Olimpica and as the Dutch were determined to follow their quarter-final triumph over Brazil with another victory that would fire them into the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Uruguay succumbed to defeat. It was a narrow one, and a painful one in the end. But that’s what destiny had to offer them; Luis Suarez’s team mates failed in their mission of rewarding the player’s sacrifice with tickets for the Grand Finale which will be held at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, June 11.
How Luis Suarez’s ‘Hand of the Devil’ Slapped Uruguay In The Semi-Finals
Really, the story could have been different. Uruguay could have been preparing for the final on Sunday instead of thinking about playing a third-place final match on Saturday. This would have seen the proud Luis Suarez possessing a great opportunity to seal what he called the ‘True Hand of God’ with a heroic performance in the final to become the ‘New Diego Maradona’. However, Luis Suarez’s faith in his team mates counted for nothing on July 6 when Uruguay faced Holland in the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In another controversial game, Holland’s Giovanni van Bronckhorst stunned the Uruguayans with a 36-meter goal to set the tone early for his side. But the injured Diego Forlan, who had forced his way into Uruguay’s starting lineup, produced an equally great effort to level the score line at 1-1 before the break.
Never-give-up Uruguay took control of the game quickly as the game resumed in the second period. It was shocking to see the Netherlands find a way out to hit Uruguay with two more goals – one from Sneijder and another from Arjen Robben. Were Oscar Tabarez’s men feeling the pressure caused by Diego Forlan’s second half substitution?
At 3-1, everyone thought that the fight was over for Ghana’s killers Uruguay. But they proved their resilience in style by pulling a goal back in injury time. However, it was too little, too late. Perhaps Luis Suarez would have influenced Uruguay with what it would have taken to reach the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
But in any case, and at the delight of hundreds of millions of pro-African supporters, Luis Suarez’s ‘Hand of the Devil’ was always likely to come back haunting at the Uruguayans – sooner or later.
2010 FIFA World Cup Third-Place Final: Uruguay vs Germany–What Is Left For Luis Suarez And La Celeste Olimpica
Third-place finals are there to console beaten semi-finalists. Uruguay will welcome back their so-called hero Luis Suarez for Saturday’s match against Spain’s victims Germany as both teams aim to restore their pride with bronze medals at least.
All is not over for Luis Suarez whose tally at the 2010 FIFA World Cup is currently of 4 goals. The Ajax striker is still in the running to scoop the Golden Boot although David Villa and Wesley Sneijder look favorites to clinch this award as they both have 5 goals onto their name.
In 1954 and 1970, Uruguay miserably finished fourth. This year, they will be hoping to return back home as third-place final winners. This will only be possible if they defeat 2006 World Cup bronze medalists Germany.
The fact is that Uruguay are yet to beat a European side in South Africa. They triumphed over CONCACAF’s Mexico, Africa’s South Africa and Ghana, and Asia’s South Korea on their way to the third-place final. But a draw against France in their opening game and a loss to the Netherlands mean that South America’s Uruguay haven’t been able to impose themselves against a European force. Will they crash down Europe's Germany at last?
Follow 2010 World Cup Third Place Final live on LiveSoccerTV.com! Go on the Uruguay vs Germany Match Page to enjoy the game!
Read this related article: 2010 World Cup Third Place Final, Uruguay vs Germany: Any German Consolation?
