JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Uruguay’s usually eloquent coach Oscar Tabarez was almost at a loss for words after his team’s nail-biting duel with Ghana saw the South Americans reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 40 years.

When he gathered his emotions, he spoke like a man who had run through a fire and survived.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Uruguay’s Luis Suarez said his conscience was clear after being dismissed for a handball that denied Ghana a last-gasp winner in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday.

Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty to leave the match deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time and Uruguay went on to seal a place in the last four through a penalty shootout.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Uruguay ended Ghana’s dream of being the first African team in the World Cup semi-finals when they won a penalty shootout 4-2 after their quarter-final finished 1-1 at the end of extra time on Friday.

Uruguay substitute Sebastian Abreu got the decisive penalty with a cheeky chip over goalkeeper Richard Kingson to set up a semi-final with Netherlands, who shocked Brazil 2-1.

KIMBERLEY, South Africa (Reuters) – When the Uruguayan squad left their hotel in Kimberley to head for the World Cup quarter-final with Ghana in Johannesburg, staff and guards at the gate bid them farewell singing “Shosholoza.”

It is an old South African rail-gang song that has been adopted by soccer and rugby fans and urges: “Go Forward, Go Forward.”

KIMBERLEY, South Africa (Reuters) – Uruguay coach Oscar Taberez said on Wednesday injured defender Diego Godin would miss the World Cup quarter-final match against Ghana as he named his side a full 48 hours before the match.

Mauricio Victorino, who performed well after coming on for Godin at halftime against South Korea, will start in his place in Friday’s match, Tabarez told a news conference.

By Angus MacSwan

MAGERSFONTEIN, South Africa (Reuters Life) – Springboks bound amongst the thorn bushes of Magersfontein during a sun-filled South African day.

But local people say that the night belongs to the ghosts of Scottish soldiers who were cut down by Boer bullets in a battle here more than 100 years ago.

BLOEMFONTEIN, June 27 (Reuters) – Germany put on a superb
display to thrash England 4-1 and move into the World Cup last
eight, leaving their long-standing rivals bemoaning a decision
to rule out an equaliser which they say cost them the game.

Thomas Mueller scored twice as Germany’s young side
overwhelmed a sloppy defence on Sunday with some sublime
counter-attacking to dish out England’s biggest ever defeat in
the World Cup finals.

BLOEMFONTEIN (Reuters) – England were denied an equalising goal in their World Cup second round match with Germany on Sunday when a Frank Lampard shot hit the crossbar and dropped well over the line.

With England just having pulled a goal back after Germany had taken a two-goal lead, Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda, guided by linesman and compatriot Pablo Fandino, decreed the ball had not crossed the line.

BLOEMFONTEIN, June 27 (Reuters) – England were denied an
equalising goal in their World Cup second round match with
Germany on Sunday when a Frank Lampard shot hit the crossbar and
dropped well over the line.

With England just having pulled a goal back after Germany
had taken a two-goal lead, Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda,
guided by linesman and compatriot Pablo Fandino, decreed the
ball had not crossed the line.

BLOEMFONTEIN (Reuters) – England and Germany fans are converging on Bloemfontein, scrambling for accommodation, transport and tickets for Sunday’s World Cup showdown but two things are not in short supply, beer and goodwill.

Despite the long-standing rivalry between the teams, which meet in a last 16 clash at the Free State Stadium, everyone was basking in the glow of South Africa’s feel-good World Cup and had traveller’s tales to share.