Germany 3 Uruguay 2, the penultimate match of South Africa 2010 has the world on the edge of their seats

Game number 63 of 64 in South Africa turned out to be the game of the tournament. The World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands at Soccer City tomorrow can't possibly live up to the throbbing mayhem of Germany 3, Uruguay 2 in Port Elizabeth.

There have been times when the third-fourth play-off has been a limp addendum to the tournament. Not this time. Not in South Africa, where the pleasant surprises just keep on coming.

With the Golden Boot up for grabs, my young player of the tournament Thomas Mueller opened the scoring, following up on Bastian Schweinsteiger’s shot. Fernando Muslera did his best to get a grip on that dastardly Jabulani ball, but Mueller was there for the rebound after 19 minutes.

Schweinsteiger, who scored twice in this game four years ago, then got caught in possession - Diego Perez produced a dream sliding tackle, came up with the ball, and found Luis Suarez. He let Edinson Cavani loose and the veteran German goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt was beaten for the equaliser after 28 minutes.

Uruguay, with Luis Suarez roundly booed for his handball against Ghana (can’t agree with that, we would all have done the same as he did), refused to recognise their status as Africa’s pariahs. And just as Mueller had joined Holland’s Wesley Sneijder and Spain David Villa on five goals, so Diego Forlan did the same.

Again Suarez was involved, this time his cross found Forlan – like Mueller included in my World Cup XI http://neal-collins.blogspot.com/2010/07/world-cup-xi-best-and-worst-of-south.html - and his bounced-volley beat Butt.

By now we knew this was no ordinary game. Only three times in this World Cup had sides come back from behind – Holland’s quarter-final victory over Brazil at the same ground was the most notable – and both sides simply threw themselves into the fray.

With 56 minutes played, Uruguay keeper Muslera failed to get new Manchester City signing Jerome Boateng’s cross – he may have been impeded by a defender, but he should have crashed him out of the way – and there was Marcell Jansen to make it 2-2.

With Boateng charging from left back to right wing and the vuvuzelas reaching fever pitch, we had to have a winner. And we got one eight minutes from time. Uruguay failed to clear a German corner and the ball sat up beautifully for Sami Khedira – another of Germany’s great young immigrant stars – to head home.

But still it wasn’t over. Drenched by rain and sweat, the players stormed up and down at the end of a month of absorbing football. And the game of games at this tournament so nearly ended in drama. With the last kick of the game, Forlan the formidable, looped a free-kick on to the bar.

The Jabulani, which will be replaced by a unique “Jo-Bulani” ball for the final, just wouldn’t come down another inch.

Germany had taken third again. But Uruguay go home with their heads high. What a night. Another great night at South Africa 2010. Please Spain, don’t stifle the Dutch tomorrow. Take them on, go for goal. Make it another night to remember for the Rainbow Nation and 600 million people across the globe.

No quarter given as Uruguay and Holland advance to the semi-finals, leaving Ghana, Brazil and the Rat & Parrot devastated

World Cup fans are advised to spend some of their time in Africa glimpsing lion and buffalo. Alternatively, you could try the Rat and Parrot for the big game.
Yeah, yeah, it’s a pub. But not just any drinking hole, this one’s reserved for wild life in Grahamstown, about 100km inland from Port Elizabeth and tribes of celebrating Dutchmen in bright orange.
They call this the “City of Churches”. Last night it was a town of tears as Ghana, Africa’s last hope at the continent’s first World Cup, crashed out amid injustice and recrimination at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
Having witnessed the drama of Holland’s shock 2-1 quarter-final win over champions-elect Brazil first hand in Port Elizabeth, I expected a quiet night as I made my first return to Grimstown (the less austere nickname) since 1982.
This is the home of Rhodes University, where I graduated nearly 30 years ago with a scrap of paper which claimed I was a bachelor of journalism. I’ve been married to a keyboard ever since.
It’s also the home of South Africa’s burgeoning National Arts Festival; that dark drive from the delights of Dutch victory at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was supposed to be taking me away from the World Cup whirl we have been cocooned in for the past month.
But no, the art-farty thousands here have an astonishing appetite for drama, ballet and all that jazz. Yes, I’m talking Ghana v Uruguay.
Shakespeare – or was it Marlowe? – couldn’t have scripted this one. The Rat & Parrot couldn’t bear to watch it. We were united in grief as Asamoah Gyan’s last-minute penalty rocked the bar at Soccer City, not to mention the bar in the Rat.
As the only man in an England shirt at both quarter-final gatherings, my immediate verdict (being an articulate analyst of the game for 40 years) was: “Bollocks.” Those around me used the more descriptive terms like “kak”, which I shall leave the Dutch to translate.
If foreigners who decried this World Cup want evidence of how wrong they were, yesterday was a perfect day for it. Port Elizabeth, heaving with 35,000 painted ladies (and men) in gold and orange, was stunning. Soccer City, packed with 83,000 Ghanaian fans, was humming. The Rat & Parrot, filled with actors and artists, was brimming.
From my perch in the Parrot on a metal strut under a table in the left-hand bar, it was clear Ghana were the better side. Last time I was in Grahamstown in 1982, Apartheid was in full cry. Now, black, white and green were united by a passion for art, football and Klipdrif (apparently it’s a local brandy, I thought it was medicinal).
For 90 minutes the Rainbow Nation showed it’s true colours. Not just the long-departed gold of South Africa, but the deep black of Africa. Bafana Bafana had become Baghana Baghana. Even devoted rugby fans in the Rat appeared to accept their roles as continental cohorts.
When the Black Stars’ naughty boy Sulley Muntari put the “home” side ahead right on half-time, the place Rat nearly ruptured. Drinks and flags flew. But when the deadly Diego Forlan’s free-kick found a way past Wigan reject Richie Kingson for the equaliser, an eery silence fell.
And then that dramatic last minute. Desperate Uruguay cleared one of the line. Then another – but wait, surely… Luis Suarez had handled on the line. Off he went.
Up stepped Asamoah for the winning spot kick. Just 12 yards to propel the leather sphere. But as so often in the tournament, the lightweight Jabulani ball flew high… and hit the woodwork. Oh the pain.
Asamoah was inconsolable. When pictures of Suarez celebrating his miss were beamed around the world, football took another small step back into the dark ages when cheaters prospered. Still, he’ll miss the semi-final against Holland at Green Point on Tuesday.
We were in to the penalty shoot-out. And somehow everybody knew. Uruguay. My guess is Cape Town will turn orange in response.

Uruguay first into the last eight with a 2-1 win over South Korea... Suarez extends the South American dominance

Uruguay clinically disposed of plucky South Korea in Port Elizabeth, their 2-1 win secured by the consummate finishing of Ajax striker Luis Suarez.

Cracking game to start the knock-out phase, but no surprise. By my calculations, South American teams have played 16 games at South Africa 2010, coming away with 11 wins, four draws and a single, meaningless 2-1 defeat by ten-man Chile at the hands of Spain in the last game of the group phase.

To give them their full name, the República Oriental del Uruguay (the Eastern Republic of Uruguay) survived the rain, a late equaliser, a dismal crowd and an appalling surface to continue the CONMEBOL dominance of this World Cup – and reach the last eight for the first time since 1970.

With a population of just 3.5million Uruguay are hardly a huge nation. On land-size alone, they are the second-smallest country in Latin American (after tiny Surinam) but become the first side from SouthAmerica - apart from big guns Argentina and Brazil - to reach the World Cup quarter-finals since Peru in 1978.

It was hardly a classic, but it was pretty absorbing, unlike the surface at the brand new Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, which was cutting up badly.

Uruguay took an early lead after just eight minutes when former Manchester United striker Diego Forlansaw his cross slip past an embarrassed Jung Sung-Ryong, leaving Suarez to slot into an empty net. Predictably the Group A winners – who left France and South Africa in their wake – shut up shop for a while after that.

South Korea, representing Asian dreams, had it all to do and when a 68th minute free-kick floated into the Uruguay box it looked like we were headed for extra-time and even penalties. Maurico Victorino could only flick on and Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong headed past Fernando Muslera for the equaliser amid incredibly soggy scenes.

But ten minutes from time, Suarez produced the champagne moment to clinch it. A Uruguay corner from the right ended up with Nicolas Lodeiro. He offered the ball to Suarez, who had nowhere to go. So he eased past a defender and send a wonderful winner curling in off the far post. Cue hysteria.

Suarez will now be linked with all the big money clubs in Europe. He's 23 but is a bit too dramatic for my liking. But he scored 35 goals in 33 games for Ajax last season. And in three Ere Divisie seasons, he's got 74 in 94 games.

With Forlan pulling the strings in front of a defence that has conceded just one goal in the tournament so far, who will bet against “South America's Switzerland” beating the winners of the Ghana v USA game at Soccer City on July 2 – and reaching a semi-final against Brazil in Cape Town? They've won it twice before, the last triumph was in Brazil 60 years ago. Even Uruguayans can dream.

Soweto, the ultimate World Cup destination: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mUVdUk0GMQ. Includes fantastic dancing lady and the ultimate World Cup companion!

Neal Collins is in South Africa to marvel at the South Americans, pray for England... and promote his first novel A GAME APART, the real story behind this World Cup. For more information see www.nealcollins.co.uk.

South Africa 0, Uruguay 3: Sometimes, you just despair

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to watch South American football every week? The dives, the play-acting, the constant niggle. And oh, the pain they go through after every sliding tackle as they roll and roll.

Uruguay pulled out all their old Latin skills last night – though a masterful Diego Forlan can take an untainted bow. But in truth the 16^th best side in the world were far from impressive as they engineered a route past South Africa, the lowest ranked hosts in the history of the World Cup.

From a distance it may look different. Uruguay dominated, stroked the ball about, keeping possession for long periods. Then came what looked like the first authentic screamer of the tournament from outside the box. Diego Forlan’s effort appeared perfect with the ultra-light Jabulani ball, which dipped for the first time in the tournament, flying in just under the bar.

But examine it closely and Forlan’s 24^th-minute rasper took a touch off the neck of Portsmouth’s Aaron Mokoena, winning his 102^nd cap for Bafana Bafana last night. That’s why what looked a masterful strike from Forlan actually owed a lot to appearances.

And that’s what this 3-0 victory amounted to. Might look good to fans from that part of the world, to television commentators distracted by the vuvuzela but sheez, if Luiz Suarez went down with one more injury in a land without a National Health Scheme, his insurers may have fled the country.

All that became irrelevant when, after 76 frustrating minutes, home goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune – less than confident in front of 60,000 at an officially freezing Loftus Versfeld last night – was sent off.

Not because he committed an awful foul but because Luiz Suarez – yes, him again – produced a swan dive of such epic proportions, Swiss referee Massimo Busacca would have been insensitive not to offer his sympathies and a card. After all, Suarez had gone down at least twice before demanding a spot kick. And there was slight contact.

But the eagle-eyed television cameras will tell you Suarez was off-side anyway. Not that it mattered.

So, Khune sent off muttering, penalty, and Monieb Josephs on for his first touch of the World Cup. Up stepped Forlan, whose dad Pablo played in the 1966 World Cup, and stuck it into the top corner.

Pereira added another to complete a night of utter misery at a stadium more used to watching the charging Blue Bulls win rugby games.

For once, the vuvuzelas were silenced. Anger, disappointed, despair for the Rainbow Nation, who had enjoyed their World Cup journey so much in the build-up to this game. Then they came up against the cynical reality of world football at the top level.

Just ask Costa Rica, the CONCACAF nation they beat in the play-offs as CONMEBOL’s fifth-best side. I wasn’t there, but I know that still rankles with those who were. Google it.

The solution? I can only suggest a course in drama for a baffled Bafana Bafana. Or law. And perhaps urge Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira to push men forward a little more when his side are winning ball in the midfield. Though he won the World Cup in 1994, I guess he knew what he was doing.

Thus ended South Africa’s 14-match unbeaten run, extending back to when Parreira resumed his duties last November. The longest unbeaten run in football, only Holland (20) and Portugal (17) can offer better here.

What remains? France, for South Africa, in an even chillier Bloemfontein. Uruguay finish against Mexico. I fear the hosts, for the first time in the history of the World Cup, will fail to reach the knock-out stages. They were very poor last night.

On the night, they were too lightweight, too excited – particularly Siphiwe Tshabalala, who scored that screamer in the opening game against Soccer City and let it go to his head.

Captain Mokoena said: "That was unacceptable. Totally unacceptable. We lost our belief, stopped playing. We still have France to play. We have to bounce back."

The great disappointment? Everton’s player of the year Steven Pienaar. The great engine he showed us in the Premier League last winter looked like it needed oil, the lung-bursting runs at altitude just weren’t there.

This piece is written with a heavy heart. This earlier piece wasn't. See http://bleacherreport.com/articles/406996-fifa-world-cup-2010-switzerland-1-spain-0-oh-how-i-love-this-game

Forlorn Forlan Won't Be Forgotten When Uruguay Take on France in Cape Town tomorrow

ALMOST forgotten amid the once-upon-a-time hysteria surrounding South Africa’s World Cup kick-off tomorrow is a little wizard with golden locks, hoping to complete a 60-year-old fairy tale.

When the jets and – hopefully – Nelson Mandela have departed Soccer City and while the Rainbow Nation are still digesting their opening clash with Mexico, Uruguay will kick off the second Group A game of the day against once-mighty France in Cape Town at 8.30pm (7.30pm in England).

And all eyes will be on former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan. We may have ignored him a little after he left Old Trafford for Spain. But his dad, Pablo, is there to remind us: “If he shows his true form, Uruguay could go far. And I really hope they do.”

Pablo played for Uruguay too, while grand-dad Juan Carlos Corzao played for Independiente in Argentina. Diego, earning rave reviews at Atletico Madrid en route to their Europa League triumph (above) last season, says: “Dad played in two World Cups, 1966 and 1974. I am so proud of him.”

Hopefully, by tomorrow night at around 10pm, the feeling will be mutual. To get past fragile France, Forlan will be relying on the famous Uruguayan fighting spirit: “When people talk about garra charrúa, sometimes they think it means ‘playing hard’. But that’s not really what it is. It means we must focus on winning – nothing else matters.”

Uruguay coach Oscar “The Maestro” Tabarez, who chose to play just one warm-up match, has already named his team. Chile-based defender Mauricio Victorino and Penarol midfielder Egidio Arevalo Rios are the surprise choices, the only two changes to the side which beat Israel 4-1. That was on May 26 and we’ve seen little of Uruguay, World Cup winners 60 years ago, since.

Forlan, 31 years, 62 caps, 24 goals, will play next to Ajax’s 35-goal striker Luis Suarez up front after overcoming injury scares. They are considered to be one of the most frightening dynamic duos at this World Cup.

Uruguay missed out on Germany 2006 but Forlan was around for 2002. After his side were forced to see off Costa Rica in a play-off after finishing fifth in the lengthy Latin American qualifying group, he grins: "It doesn’t matter how we got here, what’s important is that we are here now, in South Africa. We can forget about the ghosts of matches past.

“The years have flown by for everyone, but this time it's my turn to be one of the older heads – I’ll approach it with a bit more experience under my belt. We’ve got a great bunch of footballers who all get on very well together.”

France, after drawing with Tunisia and losing to China in their last two warm-ups, are in disarray. There are reported splits in the camp and today we hear coach Raymond Domenech, who will be replaced by Laurent Blanc after the World Cup, has been told by the players he must start veteran Arsenal and Barcelona striker Thierry “Hand of God” Henry. France are ranked 9 in the world, Uruguay 16th.

Forlan shrugs off France’s controversial passage to South Africa in that Parisian play-off against the Republic of Ireland, saying: “How they qualified isn’t significant either – they have good players, and it’s going to be a tough match.

“Uruguayan football has a rich history, marked by great victories, trophies and accomplishments. But it’s 60 years since we won the World Cup. Now it’s our turn to leave an impression."

Manchester City’s Patrick Vieira, left out of the French squad, flew in to commentate yesterday. He knows full well the pressures on the 1999 winners and 2006 finalists. He says, a tad hopefully: "France have always been criticised before big tournaments. It’s nothing new. I really strongly believe that France are good enough to win the World Cup even if they haven't played well in the friendlies."

Those lucky enough to have tickets for the opening game at the fabulous new Green Point Stadium tomorrow will then turn their minds to another French clash – on the rugby field at Newlands, where the Springboks await.

It could be a very galling weekend for the French.

Neal Collins is in South Africa promoting his first novel, A GAME APART, dubbed “the book you must read before the World Cup”. For more information see www.nealcollins.co.uk. See also his furious Fabio video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENNPo6AF1Lo

Forlorn Fulham 1, Forlan's Atletico 2, But They Had To Go To Extra Time

I HAD this awful feeling Fulham were going to get tonked in the last match of their incredible Europa League journey. Instead, they went down 2-1 to an extra-time strike from Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan.

Agony at the end of a long, long road for the Cottagers. The final in Hamburg tonight might have been for the Consolation Cup - the old UEFA Cup where Champions League failures go to moan - but for Fulham and Roy Hodgson, it meant the world.

The topic "Atletico Madrid" was trending on British Twitter as soon as the game got underway, so somebody cares. Mind you it was hardly a classic.

My old coach Woy's band of brave veterans and journeymen have travelled 25,000 miles and beaten holders Shakhtar Donetsk, the Old Lady of Italy Juventus, German champions Wolfsburg and hosts Hamburg.

They were 1-0 behind on the half-hour thanks to Forlan's sixth goal in Europe this season - his 24th of a prolific winter. And the Spaniards looked like turning my doom-laden hunch into a prophecy.

But within four minutes Fulham were back in it, Bobby Zamora appearing to miss the chance before setting up Simon Davies for the equaliser - he scored a vital goal in the semi against Hamburg too.

And there was Woy - I have to talk about him later on BBC Radio 5 tonight - urging his men on against a side far stronger on paper.

Mark Schwarzer, the veteran 33-year-old Australian No1, did his bit in keeping the Madridistas out. Clint Dempsey (above), also World Cup-bound with the US, grafted away. And Zamora showed once more how much he deserved a crack at Fabio Capello's squad.

Still, he's not alone in being told he has to stay at home this week. Ruud van Nistelrooy, 33, has been left out by the Dutch. Ronaldinho and Adriano – not to mention the old Ronaldo - languish in the also-rans for Brazil.

Incredibly, Argentina's crazed coach Diego Maradona decided to leave out Inter Milan's Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso despite their part in Jose Mourinho’s special surge to the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. And Patrick Vieira failed to push his way into the French provisional squad despite his recent appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League.

Bobatov is in good company. Forlan on the other hand, is very definitely headed for Group A of the World Cup with Uruguay, where Mexico, hosts South Africa and France await. On this evidence he could be quite a handful.

Just before the extra-time break, with the scores stuck at 1-1 for over an hour, he weaved a path through the Fulham rearguard but Atletico couldn't find a finisher.

But with the clock running down and penalties looming, he stuck out a boot, got a deflection of Hangeland, and Fulham's first ever European final ended in agony. But for Atletico the 45-year wait for a European trophy was over.