• Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (Uruguay win 4-2 on penalties), World Cup quarter-final

Ghana pay penalty against Uruguay

Diego Forland scored a stunning free-kick © Getty Images

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Uruguay v Ghana gallery

Uruguay booked their passage to the semi-finals of the World Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Ghana.

Asamoah Gyan crashed a penalty against the bar, after Luis Suarez had handled on the line, in the final seconds of extra-time and Uruguay made him pay as they claimed victory in the following shootout.

Sebastian Abreu scored the telling fourth penalty, after the game had been taken into extra-time when Diego Forlan scored a stunning free-kick to cancel out Sulley Muntari's long-range effort.

Soccer City was deathly silent as Ghana players collapsed in tears, while Uruguay celebrated their first semi-final appearance for 40 years, in which they will play Holland.

The South Americans' goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was the hero, saving twice from John Mensah, the Sunderland centre-back, and Dominic Adiyiah, but there was a nasty taste left in the mouth as Suarez was carried shoulder high by his team.

Muntari, almost sent home earlier on in the tournament after a bust up with Ghana's Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, had given his side the lead before Forlan equalised with a viciously-swerving free-kick for his third goal of the finals.

Ghana carried the hopes of the continent with them, and especially South Africans, in their quest to become the first African country to qualify for the semi-finals.

Perhaps it was the burden of expectation, but Ghana looked nervous from the start while Uruguay, and Suarez in particular, emanated menace.

It was the Ajax striker who first threatened, sweeping past Isaac Vorsah and firing in a shot that Richard Kingson managed to parry.

Forlan's dead-ball expertise was also causing Ghana problems and his corner deflected off Mensah's back and Kingson made a reaction save.

Kingson continued his superb form this tournament with a stunning save to tip over from Suarez.

Ghana had done virtually nothing in reply when, inspired by Kevin-Prince Boateng, they suddenly began to play.

Two great chances came in as many minutes as Vorsah planted a header from Muntari's corner just past the angle and then Gyan was inches wide after brilliant work by Boateng.

Then the German-born midfielder nearly conjured up a spectacular opener with an overhead kick before Muntari struck in first-half injury time.

Muntari hit a speculative shot from 30 yards out, Gyan ducked and Muslera was caught flat-footed as the ball sneaked into the corner.

The goal made for an open second half with Uruguay having to force the game, and Uruguay claimed a penalty when Edinson Cavani went down under Vorsah's challenge but replays showed Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca was spot on to wave the appeals away.

It look ominous for Ghana however when John Pantsil swept away Fucile's legs on the edge of the box, and Forlan produced the perfect free-kick that went over the wall and dipped under the crossbar. Kingson moved two steps to his right and was caught out of position as the ball flew past him.

Ghana did not let their heads drop however and Gyan brought a smart save out of Muslera but Uruguay should have taken the lead when Forlan produced an outstanding cross that cut out the entire defence. Suarez was in a perfect position to volley home at the far post but instead he rippled the side-netting.

Boateng looked to be denied a legitimate penalty after a smart turn, with Muntari wasting the chance that presented itself afterwards.

Kingson kept Ghana in it with a sharp near-post save from Suarez, and ensured extra-time.

Gyan was thwarted by a last-ditch block by Andres Scotti as Ghana hunted for a breakthrough then Pantsil was lucky not to be penalised after tangling with Sebastian Eguren in his own area.

Ghana finished the stronger with Gyan and Boateng going close before Forlan flashed a last chance wide.

An incredible last minute saw Suarez sent off for saving Adiyiah's header on the line when palming the ball away with both his hands, and Gyan smashed the resulting penalty against the bar.

Then came the shoot-out, and terrible agony for Ghana.

Mensah was the true culprit of the two to miss for Ghana, taking just one step and sidefooting straight at Muslera.

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