'Hand of God' returns in Uruguay V Ghana quarter-final

LATE drama emerged in last nights Word Cup qtr final between Uruguay and Ghana at Soccer City stadium in Johanesburg as Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez claimed "I have the 'Hand of God' now" after his deliberate, last minute, extra time handball denied Ghana a history making place in the semi-finals.

Suarez was red-carded by Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca for acting as goalkeeper in denying young striker Dominic Adiyah's header, which was bound for the back of the net, and Ghana the chance of becoming the first African team ever to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Ghana were given another opportunity with the penalty however Asamoah Gyan sent his kick - the last of the game - crashing into into the crossbar silencing the vuvuzuela's and sending the game to a shoot-out where the South Americans prevailed 4-2 .

The chance came about after a free kick in the dying seconds was swung into the Uruguayan the penalty area where a scramble ensued with Steven Appiah's close range strike cleared off the line before Suarez parried the header and a penalty was awarded.

Earlier, Sulley Muntari who was almost sent home last week for discplinary reasons, brought the game to life with a swerving long range effort from 30 yards which caught Fernando Muslera out and gave Ghana the lead seconds before half-time.

Man of the match Diego Forlan provided the equaliser on 55 mins with a beautifully crafted free-kick which swung in from the edge of the penalty area beating Ghana keeper Richard Kingson at his far post as Uruguay enjoyed the better chances in an open second half.

Forlan continued to provide headaches for Ghana as he's cross was met by Suarez, who lashed the ball into the side netting on 62 minutes, and later forced a save from Kingson after a speculative free kick from long range on 77 minutes.

Mauricio Victorino was caught napping in possesion gifting Gyan and Ghana a chance on 72 minutes however Muslera saved and a close range strike from Luis Suarez tipped over sharpley by Kingson in the dying minutes ensured the game would go to extra time.

The game reached climax in an amazing last minute which saw Suarez dismissed and the Gyan penalty smashed into the crossbar.

Fernando Muslera saved from Ghana captain John Mensah who sidefooted his shot off one step straight at the Uruguay keeper and again from Dominic Adiyah to send La Celeste through to the semi-finals for the first time since 1970 where they will meet Holland.