Uruguay and Netherlands advance to the semifinals

Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG, south africa

Nothing, it seemed, would go in for Ghana.

Not the shot kicked away at the goal line. Not the block ruled a handball an instant later as extra time ticked to a close. Not the subsequent penalty kick that sure-footed Asamoah Gyan sent bouncing straight up off the crossbar.

And not two more tries in the shootout as Uruguay, suddenly still alive, made four kicks and won the match 4-2 Friday night after a 1-1 draw. The South Americans were headed to the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 40 years.

The Ghanaians were headed home in tears.

“It’s hard luck. You know, we had [a] opportunity to win this game,” Gyan said, “but unfortunately, that is football for you.”

In Friday’s other game, the Netherlands rallied to upset five-time champion Brazil, 2-1.

Uruguay-Ghana

With time running out, a scramble in front of the Uruguay net caught goalkeeper Fernando Muslera out of position. A shot by Ghana was kicked away on the goal line by Luis Suarez. Then, Dominic Adiyiah’s header was cleared off the goal line by Suarez — using his arm. That drew an immediate red card for the striker, who will miss the semifinal, and sent Gyan to the penalty spot.

As Gyan calmly placed the ball in front of him in the final seconds of extra time, all he needed to do was send it past Muslera — and that would have sent the Black Stars into the semifinals, an African first at the World Cup.

Child’s play for Gyan, who twice in the tournament had scored on a penalty kick. He stared down Muslera, then stroked the ball solidly.

Just as solidly, it hit the crossbar. Gyan stumbled away holding his head.

Netherlands-Brazil

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa

Don’t call the Dutch underachievers anymore.

Not after the way the Netherlands rallied.

After waking themselves up at halftime, the title that has eluded the Dutch for all these years is now just two wins away.

“For 45 minutes we went full throttle,” said Wesley Sneijder. “We were rewarded.”

One of the shortest players on the field, Sneijder put the Netherlands ahead in the 68th minute on a header — a thrill so huge he ran to a TV camera, tapped the lens and stuck his face in for a close up.

“It just slipped through from my bald head and it was a great feeling,” Sneijder said.

He was in the middle of the post-game party, too, as his teammates swarmed him when the final whistle blew. John Heitinga picked up Sneijder and slung him over his shoulder as Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a Brazil shirt in hand, leaped up and rubbed Sneidjer’s closely shaved head.

The result was a case of role reversal for both sides.

The top-ranked team in the world and one of the most impressive squads in the tournament until Friday, Brazil lost its composure after falling behind and defender Felipe Melo was ejected in the 73rd minute for stomping on the leg of Arjen Robben.