World Cup Update 5

Wow.  Half way through the quarter final stage and we have witnessed two pretty amazing matches.  The Netherlands have shocked one of the favourites by knocking out Brazil and Uruguay have broken African hearts by defeating Ghana by a penalty shoot-out.

Sneijder scores Holland's winner
Image: Telegraph

A dodgy own goal and a red card courtesy of Melo was enough to secure Holland's passage through to the semi-finals next week, as well as an excitable Sneijder heading in the second.  I said before that Holland were in my heart to win...it could still be on!  Unfortunately, that meant that South America's domination of this tournament had been given a blow and one of the four remaining were out.

Suarez saves last minute header
Image: Guardian

One of the others, Uruguay, made it through after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Ghana.  However, the main talking point was Luis Suarez's reaction save in the last kick of the game to keep Ghana from making footballing history.  After a goal-line clearance, he went on to push the ball out of the way with the next shot.  Don't forget though that he is a striker!  As he went for his 'early' bath, he watched on as Asamoah Gyan went on to miss the resulting penalty and then Uruguay win on penalties.  Another horrible case of cheating in international football and, especially after his comments after the match, I hope he gets the discipline he deserves and misses both the semi and the potential final Uruguay take part in.