Uruguay vs Ghana – South Americans extinguish African hopes
Published:Uruguay made it to their first World Cup semi-final since 1970 after defeating Ghana on penalties and now face Holland for a place in the final. Uruguay are 9/1 to win the World Cup.
Holland have been installed as 4/6 favourites to win in 90 minutes, while Uruguay are 9/2 to come out victorious in normal time. The draw is 5/2.
The quarter-final match only went to spot-kicks after a dramatic ending to extra-time, when Asamoah Gyan smacked a penalty for the Arficans against the crossbar. It turned out to be the last kick of the game.
The spot-kick had been awarded after Luis Suarez punched Dominic Adiyah’s goalbound header off the line.
The Uruguay striker was sent off and will now miss the match with the Oranjes, meaning more to burden for Diego Forlan, who scored the South American’s equaliser here with a thunderous free-kick. He is 6/1 to score first against Holland.
Ghana had taken the lead at the end of the first half through a wicked long-range strike from Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari.
The 120-minute deadlock mean a second penalty shootout of this World Cup to determine a winner and credit is due to Gyan, for he stepped up to take Ghana’s first and rocket it in to the top corner.
After a 100 per cent success rate, and with the score at 3-2 to Uruguay, the next three takers missed their spot kicks. First Ghana captain John Mensa had his effort saved, then defender Maximiliano Pereira blazed his shot over before Adiyiah’s tame effort was saved by Fernando Muslera.
Finally, in scenes reminiscent of Czechoslovakia’s Antonin Panenka in 1976, Sebastian Abreu cheekily chipped in the decisive penalty to win the match for his team.
Uruguay are 11/1 to again win on penalties against the Dutch.
The South Americans are 5/2 to reach their first final since 1950, the year they last won the World Cup, while the Dutch are 2/7 to progress by any means.
After his goal against Ghana, Diego Forlan is 12/1 to win the Golden Shoe. See the full Uruguay v Holland match betting market.
