himself sent off and from then Brazil were chasing the game, Holland had a few chances to make this a more resounding victory.
URUGUAY 1 – 1 GHANA URUGUAY WIN 4-2 ON PENALTIES In an exciting game where both teams enjoyed good periods, Ghana took the lead through Muntari with a long range opener on the stroke of half time. Ten minutes into the second half Diego Forlan equalised from a free kick, his impressive World Cup continues. The game proceeded to extra time and in the dying moments Suarez stopped a goal bound shot with his hands, he was sent off and a penalty resulted. The Ghanaian striker Gyan who has had a good World Cup then choked and missed the penalty which would have sent them through to the semi-finals. The game went to penalties and Uruguay saw the game out scoring four times and Ghana missing a further two penalties.
ARGENTINA 0 – 4 GERMANY Argentina were destroyed by a rampant Germany ending Maradona‟s dream of winning the World Cup as a coach. An inspired Schweinsteiger and Klose scoring twice snuffed the Argentine threat, after Muller‟s early goal 3mins, Germany held Argentina at bay easily. The threat of Messi, Tevez and Higuain was blunted time and time again; Germany then went up a gear in the second half and added another three goals to humiliate the South Americans, Klose on67 and 89mins, Friedrich on 74mins.
PARAGUAY 0 – 1 SPAIN In a largely disappointing tie which was briefly lit up on occasions started with a Paraguayan penalty which was at a good height for Casillas who saved well. Then a Spanish penalty, Alonso scored but due to Spanish encroachment had to be retaken, the retake was also saved. Nearing the end of the game Villa scored his 5th goal of the World Cup to send Spain into the semis.
SEMI-FINALS
URUGUAY 2 – 3 NETHERLANDS In the first semi-final Holland had the best of the early exchanges and were rewarded when, captain Gio Van Bronckhorst scored a screamer on 18mins. Uruguay were given a lifeline when the Dutch keeper made a mess of Forlan‟s long range effort on 41mins. In the second half a three minute spell put Holland on the brink of the final, Sneijder on 70 and Robben on 73mins. Uruguay scored a late consolation through Pereira but Holland held on after a frantic finale.
GERMANY 0 – 1 SPAIN Spain controlled large parts of this game, Germany could not repeat earlier performances and could not find the space or invention to unlock the Spanish defence. In contrast, Spain created and should have scored well before they did. The goal came from Puyol in the 73rd min from a Xavi corner, they closed the game off to book their first World Cup final appearance.