Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (4-2 pens) (2024)

Now I'm never one to blow my own trumpet of course (ahem), but haven't I been saying the Netherlands are this World Cup's dark horses? Haven't I? What a result for the Oranje. They've just beaten the world's greatest footballing nation - and in my book that makes them the new favourites for the trophy, no?

The Netherlands' first win over Brazil for 36 years, then, puts them within a singlematch of the World Cup final. That match - their fourth World Cup semi-final (after 1974, 1978 and 1998) - will pit them againstUruguay or Ghana and promises to be a cracker either way. Bert van Marwijk's side are THE form team of the tournament, will be flying skyhigh after their Port Elizabeth triumph, and in Wesley Sneijder or Arjen Robben have two fellas hitting peak form. I wonder if Uruguay or Ghana are worried?

What say you good people? I'm Sam Lyon and I'll chat you through the next hour or so while Jonathan Stevenson attempts (and most probably fails) to compose himself after that Port Elizabeth thriller. So take this golden opportunity to get in touch why don't you? Text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), I'm on Twitter @sampatricklyon or get involved on 606.

From Luke: "Oh yes South America are amazing - but move on, it's time for the European elite to show off! Bring it on!"

From redandblackT: "Hope Uruguay and Ghana will serve us some football today. That last match was high on everything but the football."

'So where do we go from here?' the voice in my head asks. Well if you thought the Netherlands v Brazil was fascinating, wait until the African party kicks into gear in Johannesburg tonight. Ghana, aiming to become the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, have the backing of an entire continent - and Uruguay might be advised to wear ear plugs this evening? You thought the Vuvuzelas had made a racket already didn't you? Just you wait.

Wale Ibraheem, Lagos Nigeria: "I think the coast is getting clearer for Ghana to win the World Cup.One of the favourites just got dumped, it's African soil and the Black Stars of Africa are taking the world by storm. Bring on Uruguay!"

Spare a thought, meanwhile, for Brazil coach Dunga - who has confirmed the defeat by the Netherlands will be his last in charge of the team. "We knew when I started that I would be here for four years. It's sad, it's difficult, nobody prepares to lose." A World Cup winner andfinalist as a player, Ihope Dunga is not now remembered as the man who failed Brazil as a coach.

Match-winner Wesley Sneijder, meanwhile, reacted modestly at the final whistle, saying: "The winner just slipped off my bald head!" He added, referring to the fact that this was the Netherlands' first win over Brazil since 1974: "It was an amazing game. I think we showed the whole world how we can play. Finally we won, we beat Brazil!" Oh to be in Amsterdam this evening huh?

From Ross: "Good for the Dutch, they've always been the bridesmaid never the bride, maybe they will hear wedding bells this year."

James from Adelaide: "Netherlands are nowhere near favourites. They have had a very easy passage to this stage and their defence is so shaky! Lets be honest, this was just as much about Brazil imploding as it was the Dutch winning. Spain and the winner of Germany v Argentina have a stronger chance. I will go as far to say that Ghana and Uruguay are licking their lips in delight that Brazil did not get through."

Let's remind ourselves of Uruguay and Ghana's World Cup form to date, then. A draw against France and then wins over South Africa, Mexico and South Korea have done for Uruguay, while Ghana may have lost to Germany at the end of the group stage, but earned their place inlast eight courtesy of a draw with Australia and wins over Serbia and the United States. On form, it's Uruguay's to lose isn't it?

From Olusegun, Nigeria: "I tip Ghana to win tonight’s cracker and become the first African team to reach the semis. They are the pride of Africa. Good luck Ghana!"

Form - famously - goes out of the window in World Cup quarter-finals though doesn't it? And, as effectively the 'home' side in this evening's fixture at theSoccer City Stadium, Ghanamight just be able to use the African support to spur them on. And don't worry about the Black Stars crumbling under pressure - coach Milovan Rajevac says that aint gonna happen. And I believe him.

From siddharth248: "The World Cup truly starts rolling now. I'm tipping a Holland-Argentina final as there hasnt ever been an all-European final outside Europe."

And, people of Britain, just when you thought you could all sit there merely as casual observers - I'm going to pull that particular rug right from under your feet with this little nugget. Ghana are the last English-speaking country in the competition. Combine that with the fact that Howard Webb and team are still flying the flag as officials, and maybe this World Cup isn't quite as disappointing. Erm, right?

Tundefrom Nigeria: "I just can't imagine Ghana losing today, I only see a win for them.Africa, lets stand up tonight for for the realAfrican team!"

From Farslayer: "Every Uruguayan I have ever met describes their country as "We used to win the World Cup." Just being three matches away from matching their ancestors must have the country buzzing loud enough to raise the Graf Spee!"

And so the time has come for me to hand you back to Jonathan Stevenson out in Johannesburg for all the team news and match action, while I - Sam Lyon - will be back on the 'morrow to give you all the pre-match chat ahead of Germany-Argentina. This World Cup just keeps on giving doesn't it? Laters.

Turns out bad things do happen in threes: Sam Lyon’s disappeared, England are out of the World Cup and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon dream is over for another year. So, people of the live text community, why am I feeling so happy? It must be the Vuvuzelas I can hear burning a hole in the side of the International Broadcast centre in Johannesburg. The Ghanaians are coming, and by the sounds of it they’ve got the whole of Africa with them.

That’s one semi-finalist all wrapped up, then. But just who are the Netherlands going to meet in the last four in Cape Town? Will they face another South American foe in the shape of Uruguay? Or will they come up against Ghana and the entire continent of Africa for the right to play in the biggest sporting contest on planet earth? Let's find out.

Uruguay: 1-Fernando Muslera; 2-Diego Lugano, 6-Mauricio Victorino, 4-Jorge Fucile, 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 15-Diego Perez, 17-Egidio Arevalo, 7-Edinson Cavani, 20-Alvaro Fernandez, 9-Luis Suarez, 10-Diego Forlan.
Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 5-John Mensah, 15-Isaac Vorsah, 2-Hans Sarpei; 6-Anthony Annan, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng, 7-Samuel Inkoom, 11-Sulley Muntari; 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 3-Asamoah Gyan.
Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal).

"No surprises for Uruguay as coach Oscar Tabarez named his side days ago - Mauricio Victorino and Alvaro Fernandez replace Diego Godin and Alvaro Pereira. Ghana make two enforced changes as they bid to make history, with suspended duo Andre Ayew and Jonathan Mensah replaced by Sulley Muntari and Isaac Vorsah."

By the way, if you could refresh your page I'd be ever so grateful - all it means is that you'll know the woeful *gags* belong to me, Jonathan Stevenson, not poor Sam, who's frankly much better than that.

UruGhana get in touch, then? My word, I think I’ve just hit rock bottom. Save me from my own ineptitude by Tweeting me @Stevo_football, texting me on 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide) or scribbling down your thoughts on the 606 page.

Eniola from Escravos, Delta state, Nigeria: "Ghana need to be wary of Luis Suarez and of course Diego Forlan. The Ghana defence must have 100% concentration at all times; the midfield and attack should move the ball quickly. Ghana have a chance and the whole of Africa is backing them."

These countries have both enjoyed fabulous tournaments and for one of them it is about to get a whole lot better. The Uruguayans have impressed with their free-flowing football and dynamic striking duo Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, while Ghana have shouldered the burden of African expectation with real character and no little quality. It’s just too close to call, this one. But aren’t they all?

"If you win the World Cup for looking mega-relaxed on your way out of your coach and busting a few tunes on the way to the dressing room then the Black Stars are heading to the top. My sources reliably inform me they will play 4-1-4-1 with Kevin-Prince Boateng given the licence to roam from midfield."

Uruguay 1-1 Ghana
Penalty shootout

From simoncfc:"Ghana to win on penalties. Germany to beat Argentina, then lose to Spain in the semis. Netherlands against Spain in the final. You heard it here first."

"I can't say that I'm that surprised by the success Ghana have had, but I thought we would have a great team in four years, not necessarily now. I'd be a very proud man if we won tonight."

"When you look at Ghana, no disrespect but they've only played one good side in Germany and they lost - the draw has been very kind to them. They play some lovely football until they get to 30, 40 yards out and then they just shoot from daft angles, goals you score once every three years. They're under pressure tonight."

On Twitter: "Uruguay's Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan - the best strike duo at this World Cup? Discuss."

I think my esteemed colleague Paul Fletcher might be on to something there. Goal-crazy Luis Suarez is having the year of his life - the Ajax striker has scored a remarkable 55 goals in 60 games for his club and country this season. What price another one tonight?

"Ghana are very strong, very fast players with good dribbling when they run with the ball. We know it will very difficult. We won't wait for Ghana to score a goal before we start to play the way we should be. We won't become complacent, that would be suicidal."

"This result depends on us. It is important how we start and that we try and impose ourselves on Uruguay from the beginning. We are the only African team left at this level of competition so I am really proud of these boys and the whole world now has great respect for Ghana football."

From Richard T: "I think it is a different World Cup from what it used to be. We are going to see entirely new faces at the finals. Ghana are going to progress."

Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca emerges from the tunnel and picks the ball up off the plinth as Diego Lugano and John Mensah lead the teams out. The captains will read out a short message on Fifa's anti-discrimination day and then we'll have the national anthems.

Do you think they'll do a CD of the 32 national anthems at the end of this World Cup? And, perhaps crucially, do you think I'd be the only person buying it? Why do I love them so? I need answers.

Newspapers across this great country of South Africa have been screaming their support for BaGhana BaGhana (see what they've done there) today, and now is their moment of truth. In the first African World Cup, can a team from the continent reach the semi-finals and create history? We are under way in Johannesburg.

There's a signal of intent - the 'Rock of Gibraltar' John Mensah crunches into Luis Suarez from behind to concede an early free-kick on the halfway line. Lovely introduction.

"Cracking set of anthems. Hope the game is of equal quality. My most sincere wish is that both teams have a desire to win that transcends their fear of losing."

Good attacking intent already from Uruguay as Diego Forlan bursts forward from inside his own half, but his pass to Alvaro Fernandez down the right is heavy and the chance is lost.

From The strike of the cescy verminator: "As a Ghanaian, I'm impressed at our support from Nigeria. Never dreamed of this to ever happen. COME ON U GHANA!!!"

There's the first sign of Ghana players shooting from a silly distance - Kwadwo Asamoah shoots lamely wide from 25 yards when he should have just pumped the ball back into the Uruguay box. Wasteful.

Uruguay are having most of the ball, but they haven't created a clear-cut chance yet. Luis Suarez cuts in from the left, but his shot is straight at Richard Kingson who saves comfortably.

Ghana need to get a foothold in this game - on the rare occasions they get the ball, they keep giving it back straight away. You could forgive them for being nervous.

Uruguay plough a free-kick into the Ghana box and Richard Kingson, under no pressure at all, punches unconvincingly straight up into the Johannesburg night sky. When it lands, in the middle of a packed six-yard box, he punches again but is rescued by the referee. Shaky.

From Gallacticos87: "What odds on Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay all going out this weekend, Stevo? Let's go northern hemisphere!"

Uruguay are bossing this and Diego Forlan is looking very dangerous on the break, along with partner-in-crime Luis Suarez. Another corner from the left is flicked on and hits John Mensah, with Richard Kingson pulling off a great reflex save.

Jorge Fucile is booked - could have been for either of his two fouls inside a few seconds, and the defender will be suspended if Uruguay reach the semi-final.

From Michael: "Ghana will do the biz against their opponents. It will be very close. As a Brit-born Nigerian, I wish them all the luck. Go Ghana, go Africa the Motherland."

Diego Forlan is buzzing - he narrowly fails to play in Edinson Cavani, before picking up the rebound and smashing a right-foot shot just high and just wide from 22 yards. Very, very dangerous.

Ghana have Richard Kingson to thank again - Luis Surez catches his marker sleeping as Uruguay take a quick throw-in and from about 16 yards he fizzes in a right-foot drive that Kingson does really well to acrobatically tip over. All Uruguay.

"It's interesting how Ghana have swapped the wide players - Inkoom has come to the left and Muntari has gone to the right."

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is frantically trying to encourage his players to push out of their own half because they are under pressure at the moment.

"This Johannesburg crowd is desperate to get behind the African side. I even heard a few chants of 'Ghana' briefly drowning out the you-know-whats. But it is all about the experienced, wily and determined Uruguayans so far - with very little to encourage the vast majority inside Soccer City."

That'll encourage them - Ghana are inches away from going in front. Isaac Vorsah leaps above Diego Lugano and powers a header goalwards from eight yards, but it flashes just wide.

Encouragement by the bucketload for Ghana. Kevin-Prince Boateng races forward from midfield, pushes the ball one side of a defender and runs round the other side before crossing for Asamoah Gyan, who sweeps about a foot wide from the edge of the box.

From wjousts:"Wow! Somebody suddenly woke up Ghana."

My friend and yours wjousts, below, is right you know. Ghana have suddenly woken up, they are really taking the game to Uruguay at the moment. It's the South Americans who are under pressure now.

"Ghana are a very defensive side, they like to play on the counter-attack.From the form that the front two have shown so far, I think Uruguay are definitely going to score in this game."

Ghana are pressing, biting into their tackles - they've shrugged off a lacklustre start and are dominating this game now. Another blow for Uruguay as captain Diego Lugano limps off and is replaced by Andres Scotti.

Half a chance, that. Kwadwo Asamoah flings over a top-class pass from the right into the Uruguay area and Sulley Muntari heads wide from an angle on the left.

Uruguay try a free-kick with a difference as Diego Forlan tries to slide rule Maxi Pereira in down the right, but Forlan's touch is heavy and it runs out. Meanwhile, Luis Suarez and Isaac Vorsah are involved in some handbags, which refereeOlegario Benquerenca nips in the bud.

Ooof. Jorge Fucile leaps above Samuel Inkoom, but it looks like he almost lands on his head/neck, and his Uruguayan team-mates are immediately concerned. He gets up, much to everyone's surprise, and he should be OK to carry on.

Asamoah Gyan smacks in a right-foot volley from 30 yards and he hits it true, but Fernando Muslera is in a good position to take a fairly comfortable catch.

"It's a big loss for Uruguay losing the captain Lugano, but you've got to say that Ghana have really started pushing them back and Uruguay's front two are getting isolated."

Samuel Inkoom sends over a top cross from the Ghana right and Kevin-Prince Boateng tries an acrobatic overhead kick from seven yards only for the ball to hit his shin and fly over the bar. Decent chance, that. Into two added minutes at Soccer City.

Wow. I'm reeling again. Sulley Muntari picks the ball up in the Uruguay half and there's no-one anywhere near him so he takes a touch, moves into space and from about 35 yards he hits a sweet left-foot shot that curls away from a badly-positioned Fernando Muslera and flies into the corner. Africa goes wild.

That was the last kick of the half. And what a kick.

"Ghana had come right back into this engrossing contest, no doubt about that, before Sulley Muntari's strike gave them the lead. The loss of skipper Diego Lugano is a big blow to Uruguay given that fellow defensive rock Diego Godin is also out injured."

"What was the goalkeeper looking at? We've said it before, Ghana like to shoot from distance. I just wonder if the keeper was unsighted."

Repeat: An African team has never reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. Ghana are the first African side to lead in a WC quarter-final since Cameroon were 2-1 up against England in their last-eight contest at Italia '90.

From majbloor: "What an absolute peach of a goal, they had it coming and thoroughly deserved it!"

From Marblex: "You just can't help but support Ghana can you?"

Well, we're back under way at Soccer City and Uruguay have 45 minutes to score otherwise they are out of the World Cup. Oscar Tabarez makes a change, bringing Nicolas Lodeiro on for Alvaro Fernandez. Anyone out there supporting Uruguay?

Edinson Cavani goes on a lung-bursting run forward down the inside right channel and he latches on to a pass from Diego Forlan - he seems to be taken out by Isaac Vorsah, but the referee gives nothing. Poor decision.

Uruguay's struggles continue asEgidio Arevalo is booked for obstructing Kevin-Prince Boateng. The great Paolo Montero would have been proud of that one.

"Andres Scotti, the centre-half who replaced the Uruguay captain Lugano, has already made a couple of mistakes."

Uruguay are trying to up their tempo now but Ghana's players are covering an awful lot of ground - they are doing a great job of stopping Uruguay from passing it around as they want to.

This quarter-final is starting to get stretched, which means expect more chances. John Pantsil is booked for a foul on Jorge Fucile on the edge of the Ghana area, out on the right. Diego Forlan might fancy this one.

Stand up and applaud one of the best players in the world. Diego Forlan gets the ball up and over the wall and when Richard Kingson moves an inch to his right it's a fatal mistake - the ball sears past his left hand and settles in the back of the net. Not great keeping, but wonderful from Forlan.

Now this game really is anyone's to win. Can Ghana respond positively to that Diego Forlan goal, or will Uruguay step it up another notch and take command? You'd be brave to go either way.

Ghana's turn to attack as Asamoah Gyan fires in a low shot from 18 yards, but Fernando Muslera gets down well to his right to push the ball away.

Diego Perez is booked for a clumsy foul on Kwadwo Asamoah.

"Both goals, in my eyes, have been the fault of the goalkeeper. Not to take anything away from Diego Forlan, it was a great strike, but it was in the middle of the goal, it didn't go in the top corner. It moved a bit, but what was the goalkeeper thinking? He was nowhere near it."

From Park Ji Sung And His Mystery Tour: "This is turning into a fantastic game! End to end stuff with some brilliant attacking moves. Love this."

Uruguay have stepped it up a touch and Ghana are not helped by Richard Kingson mis-controlling the ball and conceding a corner. Moments later Diego Forlan's wicked cross from the left beats the keeper, but Luis Suarez finds the angle too tight and can only hit the side-netting. Arguably should have scored.

Luis Suarez breaches the Ghana offside trap, but the flag goes up erroneously, costing him a chance to run through. Hans Sarpei was playing him on at left-back - lucky escape for the Africans.

From TomVF: "Re: anyone out there supporting Uruguay? I was in Hamburg for the Europa League final. Having given a footballing masterclass and scored the winner, Forlan came over to the Fulham fans to acknowledge our support then shook every Fulham player's hand before joining the celebrations with his team-mates. A player and a gent. Come on Uruguay!"

Free-kick to Ghana, 30 yards out, pretty central. Looks like Sulley Muntari wants it.

He might have wanted it, but Asamoah Gyan takes it and curls the ball a few yards over. Next one's Sulley's, I reckon.

"Nice left foot, nice balance, but Kwadwo Asamoah goes out of the game for long periods - you only see him every 15 or 20 minutes."

Lovely stuff from the Uruguayans courtesy of a quick throw down the left from Jorge Fucile and when the ball is played in to Luis Suarez inside the Ghana box on the left, his right-foot toe-poke forces Richard Kingson to leap up and tip the ball over.

From anand_ramki: "Credit must go to both teams and the managers. They sure are giving it a go! Dodgy defending is only adding to the fun."

Stephen Appiah comes on for Samuel Inkoom for Ghana, before Diego Forlan lashes a right-foot free-kick from 35 yards that has Richard Kingson sprawling across his line as it flashes just wide of his left-hand post.

Uruguay bring on striker Sebastian Abreu for Edinson Cavani. That's their changes all done already.

Hans Sarpei is booked for holding back Luis Suarez as he tries to get away down the Uruguay right. It's really quite tense at Soccer City.

"Nice movement and crisp passing by Ghana, but it's very hard to call - I definitely think Forlan and Suarez will get some more chances before the 90 minutes are up."

That's chance number one - Diego Forlan whips over a free-kick from the right and Luis Suarez gets there first, his glancing, stooping header saved at his near post by Richard Kingson.

"Nobody could accuse Uruguay coach Oscar tabarez of negative tactics - with Nicolas Lodeiro and Sebastian Abreu into the action he has four very attack-minded players on the park. Abreu is known as El Loco. It means he is a little bit crazy."

Ghana have already proved they have the stomach for extra-time after their last 16 win over USA. It's an awful lot to put the world's second largest continent through again.

"Uruguay are being very positive, they have now gone to a 4-3-3 with Suarez on the left, Forlan on the right and Sebastian Abreu, who has come on, through the middle."

The edge has gone out of the game in the last couple of minutes - have these teams settled for extra-time? And are we destined to go all the way to penalties this evening? Not long left of normal time now, still Uruguay 1-1 Ghana.

Even the Vuvuzelas have quietened down inside Soccer City - are the Ghana fans saving their puff for the 30 extra minutes? Ghana take off goalscorer Sulley Muntari and send Dominic Adiyiah on in his place.

We're into injury time in Johannesburg and we're due about three extra minutes. How you feeling?

Kevin-Prince Boateng overhits a cross from the Ghana right as they try to break and it runs out of play as he bows his head. That might be the last chance they get in normal time.

Olegario Benquerenca blows his whistle and for their second successive game Ghana are taken to extra-time as they are Uruguay are locked at 1-1.

Jez, Hartlepool: "Best game of the World Cup by a mile, absolutely gripped."

Here's what's at stake: Ghana are bidding to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals; two-time champions Uruguay are trying to reach the last four for the first time since 1970.

We are back under way at the magnificent Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. Where's your cash going?

"The players of both sides have been making the wrong choice with the final ball. They've been holding on to it in areas where they could release it. Then again, the game's easy from the commentary box."

Dominic Adiyiah wins a corner down the Ghana right and gesticulates to the crowd to try and get them vocal again - great work from the 20-year-old who has only just come on. John Mensah is shown a yellow card for dissent.

"Interesting how Oscar Tabarez had all his players surround him in a tight huddle while he made an impassioned speech. Ghana boss Milovan Rajevac spoke to one of his - but through a translator."

Diego Forlan plays an exquisite pass out to the right to Luis Suarez, but his first touch is a bit heavy and he cannot get his shot away. They remain so, so dangerous, those Uruguay strikers.

Boy there are some tired legs out there. Mistakes at the back from Uruguay let Asamoah Gyan in with half a chance, but his effort is blocked by Andres Scotti. Gyan needs some treatment on an ankle injury.

Asamoah Gyan isn't moving too cleverly, but he's back on. Wild horses, and all that.

Matt, Birmingham: "At a loss as to why people say the keepers were at fault for the goals, two fantastic strikes that swerved in the air! Great game though."

Hans Sarpei is the next Ghanaian to go down, but he trudges back on too. A Diego Forlan corner from the right is headed away by Asamoah Gyan. These boys have all put in one heck of a shift tonight.

"The match has got very scrappy, there are a lot of tired legs out there. It's either going to be decided by a mistake or it's going to penalties."

John Pantsil is a lucky boy. He seems to stick his leg out and bring Sebastian Abreu down in the Ghana area, but referee Olegario Benquerenca waves play on.

Into one minute of added time at the end of the 15 as Richard Kingson punches a Uruguay corner away decisively.

Half-time in extra-time. If there isn't a winner in the next 15 minutes, I'm going to need a drumroll and something to calm my nerves. Preferably strong.

And we're back under way. In the stadium designed in the style of an African cooking implement, a continent's hopes are in the melting pot now.

From WhoaSriLawi: "Re: Matt from Birmingham, both keepers were at fault, only by a step, but that's all the Jabulani needs to make them pay."

"The players don't want to make a mistake and the pace has dropped significantly. They might as well have gone to penalties after 90 minutes."

There isn't much going on inside Soccer City at the moment, though Ghana are the better team and a cross from the right is headed wide by Asamoah Gyan.

Chris Waddle's right, the ref should just blow up. Neither side is willing to take a risk now, and you can't really blame them.

A ball into the Uruguay box looks like it is falling perfectly for Stephen Appiah, but he cannot quite control it and the chance goes begging. At the other end, Diego Forlan slams over from an angle on the left. Tired, tired, tired.

We nearly had our winner. Asamoah Gyan causes mayhem inside the Uruguay area and Andres Scotti's sliced clearance nearly loops into his own net, only for Maxi Pereira to boot the ball of from near his own goalline.

Kwadwo Asamoah's first corner is cleared at the near post by Sebastian Abreu and his second one is by the same player - neither got past the first man. A long throw is flicked on and Kevin-Prince Boateng heads wide from six yards.

"Uruguay have gone deeper and deeper, looking for the counter-attack, but their forwards haven't got any legs left."

Kevin-Prince Boateng's cross-shot from the Ghana left almost catches Fernando Muslera out, but he reacts quickly to beat the ball away at his near post. It's just horrible this, isn't it?

Unbelievable scenes. One of the most extraordinary ends to a game you could imagine. A Ghana corner is glanced on and Fernando Muslera cannot punch properly clear - Dominic Adiyiah has one shot from six yards blocked on the line by Luis Suarez, before Adiyiah's next effort, a header, is punched off the line by Suarez. The striker is sent off and Asamoah Gyan steps up to take the penalty, but he can only smash it against the crossbar. More penalties coming up.

Incredible scenes at Soccer City. One penalty wasn't enough to separate the sides, so we're going to have a shootout. I wonder if Asamoah Gyan will take one.

"Luis Suarez was crying one minute and doing cartwheels the next - what a game!"

Fair to say Luis Suarez did the only thing he could possibly do there by handling the ball - he's kept his team in this quarter-final. Can Uruguay go and win it without him, or will Ghana recover from the hammer blow of missing that spot-kick?

Yep, it's shootout o'clock. Richard Kingson and Fernando Muslera, here's to you boys.

FORLAN SCORES

GYAN SCORES
Top corner - that took guts. Top-class.

VICTORINO SCORES

APPIAH SCORES

SCOTTI SCORES

MENSAH SAVED
No run-up, Fernando Muslera saves it. The crowd falls silent.

MAXI PEREIRA MISSES
Blazes over. The stadium erupts.

ADIYIAH SAVED
Brilliant save one-handed from Fernando Muslera, low down to his right.

ABREU SCORES
Genius. He's just broken Africa's hearts by chipping it down the middle. Ghana are out.

URUGUAY ARE THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP

Some of the Ghana players are absolutely devastated. Asamoah Gyan weeps inconsolably as his team-mates rally round to support him. Soccer City is eerily quiet. This sport of ours, what it does to people.

We have our first World Cup semi-final line-up. It's not Brazil v Ghana, it's the Netherlands v Uruguay and it will take place in Cape Town on Tuesday at 1930 BST. I want to cry with Asamoah Gyan.

Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez embrace as the Uruguay players go over to a pocket of their fans in Jo'burg. Let's not under-estimate what an achievement this is for such a proud footballing nation - the country with only 3.5 million inhabitants is in the semi-finals of the World Cup. I doff my hat to thee, Uruguay.

"To run up and do that, Sebastian Abreu has obviously been watching the keeper, who's been coming off his line and diving early. To win it like that was fantastic."

Mukundi from South Africa: "Luis Suarez is the most hated man in Africa and the most loved in Uruguay. Football, how cruel and beautiful you are."

Our friends at Infostrada Sports tell us that in the last seven penalty shoot-outs at the World Cup, the team that began the series has emerged victorious.

See 19:00 - I told you it would be penalties. You know, sometimes I really hate myself. This World Cup might not be the best for quality of football, but my word it's giving us some thrills and spills along the way.

"When Asamoah Gyan hit the bar it was unbelievable. You go through so many feelings in the shootout, I can't believe we won. The way we worked together, the fact we're in the last four in the World Cup, it's unbelievable."

OK, I'm hearing you - but can we just get one thing clear? Luis Suarez did not cheat. He used the rules to his advantage, got lucky and then got even luckier. It's football's fault there isn't such a thing as a penalty try, not Luis Suarez's.

From shinydh: "This Cup, it's so upside-down that Stevo Predos are accurate. How can you not love this?"

From Orion:"Don't blame Suarez, blame Fifa's rule. Those situations should have resulted in a goal awarded (not penalty) and a red card given."

My hands are soaking, my heartbeat's off the scale and I can't see anymore. I'm off outside to try and cheer up the Ghana fans who will be trudging away from Soccer City stadium as I type these very words. See you on Saturday for Argentina v Germany and Paraguay v Spain. I love you guys. I really love you. Night night.