Uruguay defeats Ghana in Penalty Kicks

Emotions were running high at Uruguay Cafe during the intense match between Uruguay and Ghana. The Uruguayans wanted their home country to advance and they suffered during Friday's game. From nail biting, anger, joy, and cries of happiness it was all present. Fans filled the restaurant from wall to wall, some even had to watch through windows.

 Uruguay Cafe is the only Uruguayan restaurant in the Los Angeles area and there were many Uruguayans gathered to watch their homeland side play. Most of the Uruguayan fans were decked out in their country's jerseys or had flags draped over their shoulders. 

In the final seconds of the first half Ghana makes a goal leading 1-0.

Uruguayan fan, Debru Petrov said, "I'm optimistic, we can't give up and we just have to keep on fighting because we want this game and we need it." Petrov is just one of the fans at Uruguay Cafe, who wanted to be among fellow Uruguayans to celebrate if their homeland team won.  

Raymond Lopez, a supporter of the Uruguayan team said, "Uruguay has to put everything they've got to be able to move forward against Ghana because they are a very fast team." Lopez has many Uruguayan and Argentine friends and roots for both teams although he is not from either country. He hopes both teams play in the final but would like to see Uruguay win the Cup.

With both teams refusing to give up they decided to go into overtime. At the end of normal time the team was tied 1-1.

Daniel Sosa said, "It's an interesting game, very tense and we're very worried. Ghana runs very fast, I think we can win, but it'll be defined in the next 30 minutes." Sosa is originally from Uruguay and has been living in Los Angeles for the last 25 years. He hopes the World Cup goes to "The River of Silver" meaning either  Argentina or Uruguay. The River of Silver forms part of the border between Argentina and Uruguay.

Ghana seemed certain to win, as Luis Suarez set up a penalty kick for them. Suarez was sent off for a deliberate handball on the line that denied Ghana a winning goal. Ghana's shot missed just as time expired and it was now time for a shootout.

Ghana makes 2 shots during the penalty kicks shootout and Uruguay makes 4 shots. Uruguay wins and it takes them the semifinals for the first time in 40 years. 

The fans at Uruguay Cafe went into a frenzy and took the celebration onto the streets. Dancing and chanting "Soy Celeste" which means "we are divine" and also the Uruguayan team nickname.

Fernando Velasquez said, "Uruguay was the better team and they proved that on the field today." Velasquez says he hopes they defeat the Netherlands next but believes it will be hard without Luis Suarez.

After two periods, extra time and a penalty shoot-out, Uruguay wins a nerve-wracking quarterfinal match against Ghana. Uruguay advances on to a semifinal game Tuesday against the Netherlands.

(Last penalty kick and Uruguay wins match)