Wamma! 2 July 2010 in Johannesburg. The final minute of extra time. Ghana — the LAST African team in the tournament held on African soil for the first time — needed ONE more goal to become the first African team in World Cup history to reach a SEMI-FINAL. Dominic Adiyiah's header was goalbound. Luis Suárez, on the goal line, threw out his hand. RED CARD. Penalty. Asamoah Gyan stepped up... and SMASHED it off the crossbar. Ghana lost the shootout. Africa's tournament was OVER. Suárez celebrated like he had scored the winner!
Year: 2010 Match: Uruguay vs Ghana Location: Soccer City, Johannesburg Round: Quarter-Final Category: African Heartbreak
The Moment
- Ghana were the only African team left in the tournament held on African soil for the first time in history
- Suárez deliberately handballed on the goal line in the final minute of extra time
- He received a red card but Asamoah Gyan smashed the resulting penalty against the crossbar
- Uruguay won the resulting penalty shootout 4-2 — Ghana eliminated in the quarter-final
- Suárez celebrated his red card on the touchline as Ghana lost — making him a villain across Africa
The Verdict
Suárez's handball against Ghana in 2010 broke African football's heart. The Black Stars were 60 seconds away from becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final on African soil. Suárez's cheat — and his celebration of it — made him football's biggest VILLAIN on this continent. A moment Africa will NEVER forget or forgive!
Tomorrow: #10 — Stay tuned for the next magical World Cup moment!
