Saturday 26 June 2010

Uruguay Progress To Last 8

Uruguay 2-1 Korea Republic

Uruguay, after being the last team to qualify for the tournament, became the first team to qualify for the last 8 after a 2-1 victory over Korea Republic in Port Elizabeth. Goal machine Luis Suarez was the hero for Uruguay. After 49 goals last season for Dutch club Ajax he lifted his tally to three for the tournament after a double strike today. Not that the Uruguayans had it all their own way, Park Chu-Young rattled Fernando Muslera's post with only five minutes on the clock with a super free kick. Three minutes later and Uruguay were ahead, Diego Forlán's cross was allowed to run across the penalty area, was misjudged by Korea Republic goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong and Luíz Suárez ghosted in at the back post fire home.

Again, Uruguay sat back after the goal. Looking to hang on to their lead Korea Republic took to the offensive but Park Chu-Yong was wasteful. The Uruguayans luck finally ran out half way through the second half. Goalkeeper Mulsera was in no mans land and Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong headed home to give the Korea Republic a deserved equaliser. It was the first goal that Uruguay had conceded so far in the World Cup 2010 and raised the possibility of extra time. As the rain piled down, there were ten minutes left when a moment came good enough to win any game, Suárez cut in from the left hand wing, got beyond the challenge of Kim Jung-Woo and curled in a super shot that left Jung Sung-Ryong rooted to the spot. Cue celebrations from the bench and great skills from Suárez to jump the advertising hoardings to celebrate with the substitutes who were warming up behind the goal. Uruguay will now face either Ghana or USA in the quarter finals at Soccer City on Friday, the first time Uruguay have appeared at this stage since Mexico in 1970.

Highlights are courtesy of the official FIFA site. Local viewing restrictions will apply. We recommend our UK readers check out the BBC Website

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