The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has revisited the epic 2010 World Cup quarter-final game between Ghana and Uruguay.
The match, played exactly 14 years ago today, on July 2, 2010, produced one of the most heartbreaking moments for Ghanaians and, to a large extent, Africans. Ghana, having stared at a historic semi-final, eventually crashed out of the competition.
Ghana took the lead in the game through Sulley Muntari's belter at the stroke of halftime. However, the lead did not last long, as Diego Forlán restored parity 10 minutes into the second half.
The match did not see any more goals, heading into extra time. It was a nail-biting and action-packed game, as both countries needed to pull out something special to edge the other.
At the death, Ghana seemed to have found that something special. The Black Stars won a free kick on the right side of the attack, and John Paintsil stepped up for it.
The former Fulham man swung in a feeble looping cross from the free kick, which was flicked into the area by Kevin-Prince Boateng.
John Mensah was well on to connect with a header, but goalkeeper Fernando Muslera got off his line and managed a slight fist to it, deflecting the ball back into the six-yard box.
Stephen Appiah pounced on the rebound with a left-footed effort, but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Luis Suárez, who had quickly taken the goalkeeper's position.
The ball bounced back into the area again, and substitute Dominic Adiyiah got his head to it. Adiyiah had all but won it for Ghana after Suárez saved the goal-bound header with his hands, resulting in a penalty for Ghana.
Suárez was subsequently given his marching orders, and Asamoah Gyan stepped up for the decisive moment.
Gyan had scored two penalties in the group stage and was the reliable man for the big moment. He was a few seconds away from sending Ghana to the semi-finals, becoming the first African country to make the last four, and more significantly, achieving this feat on African soil in South Africa. But it was not meant to be.
With the last kick of the game, Gyan struck the crossbar from the spot and held his head in his hands in despair.
The deafening vuvuzela sounds at the FNB stadium turned into an immediate painful silence. The moment felt like a dagger through the hearts of Ghanaians and many other Africans who saw the bright light at the end of the tunnel fade away.
Ghana eventually lost 4-2 on penalties and had their dreams shattered in the most painful way imaginable.
EE/MA
1️⃣4️⃣ YEARS AGO TODAY
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 2, 2024
Uruguay v Ghana had a bit of everything! 🇺🇾🇬🇭#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/h87CIAWLqo
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