The last African team in the 2010 World Cup Finals hoped to become the first to reach the semi-finals.

The first twenty minutes belonged to Uruguay; Diego Forlan's set pieces and the nervous Ghana defence. It wasn't until Richard Kingson tipped the ball over the bar from Luis Suarez, in the 27th minute, that Ghana really woke up.

Then, from a corner in the 29th minute, Ghana kept the pressure on. Kwadwo Asamoah dropped back a little, Kevin-Prince Boateng moved up alongside Asamoah Gyan and Ghana started to look more promising.

With two minutes added on, Ghana pushed forward a final time before the break.

There didn't really seem much urgency in their movement, as Asamoah Gyan helped the ball along; into the path of Sulley Muntari. Fernando Muslera was seen moving one way, so Muntari sent the ball the other.

Half-time: 0:1

Ten minutes into the second-half, Diego Forlan's direct free-kick brought Uruguay back into the game. Richard Kingson didn't really give himself much of a chance when he started to move; especially when Jabulani had an extra move itself.

Asamoah Gyan almost put Ghana back in front, but Muslera was down quick to keep the ball out.

Twenty minutes from time, Uruguay probably put together of their best moves; Kingson saving from Suarez.

Uruguay looked fresher towards the end of normal time; Ghana just seemed to be hanging on.

Not only were Ghana the third African team to reach the quarter-finals, they also became the third African team to take their quarter-final match into extra-time.

Uruguay probably should have had a penalty in the first period of extra-time, but Pantsil was lucky to get away with sticking his foot out.

With both teams visibly tired, the Dutch players must be licking their lips.

Stephen Appiah missed the chance to avoid the penalty shoot-out by trying to control the ball instead of just throwing his head at it.

Then Gyan couldn't get the better of Andrés Scotti; Kevin-Prince Boateng headed wide and then drama of all dramas as Luis Suarez was sent off for handling the ball on the line in the 120th minute and the normally assured Asamoah Gyan crashed the penalty onto the crossbar.

Now to the real penalties.

Penalties:

Uruguay went first.

1:0 Diego Forlan - Calmly struck.
1:1 Asamoah Gyan - Courageously went first and scored.
2:1 Mauricio Victorino - Blasted into the roof of the net.
2:2 Stephen Appiah - Scored just above the keeper's gloves.
3:2 Andrés Scotti - Hesitated but low and through the middle.
3:2 John Mensah - No run up. Easily saved.
3:2 Maxi Pereira - Shoots miles over.
3:2 Dominic Adiyiah - Saved.
4:2 Sebastian Abreu - Cool customer scored light and easy.

Uruguay 1 Ghana 1 After Extra Time (4:2 pens)