Two-time winners Uruguay ended Africa's World Cup dreams by beating Ghana 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout Friday after the match finished 1-1 during 120 minutes of play, dpa reported.
The result means Uruguay return to the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time in 40 years.
Uruguay Fernando Muslera stopped Dominic Adiyiah's penalty and Sebastian Abreu converted the winner for Uruguay.
Sulley Muntari had opened the scoring for Ghana two minutes into first half stoppage time before Diego Forlan equalised in the 55th minute for the 1930 and 1950 world champs at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.