Uruguay 1, Ghana 1. Uruguay wins on penalties, 4-2.

Ghana scored first, but Diego Forlan equalized with a brilliant free kick. The ball appeared to curve not in an understandable banana shape, but in an S-shape. As Martin Tyler put it, the ball looked like it was under the influence of a remote control. Forlan is exceptional.

The conclusion of the match was, for neutrals, easily the most dramatic finish of the 2010 World Cup. In the final play of extra time, Suarez used his hand to keep a sure goal -- an absolutely 100% certain goal -- from going in. He was rightfully red-carded and Ghana awarded a penalty kick. Suarez -- who is a wonderful offensive player and had supplied a contender for goal of the tournament against South Korea -- was in tears as he left, thinking he'd lost his team the match.

But Gyan missed the penalty! A (1) missed (2) potentially-game winning (3) penalty that was awarded in (4) the final seconds of (5) extra time in the (6) World Cup quarterfinals for (7) an intentional handball of (8) a certain goal. Then Ghana, the last African team in the first Cup in Africa, lost on penalties. Astonishingly and acutely dramatic.

Today was a phenomenal day to be a futbol fan.

FF