The anniversary of one of the most bizarre moments in football history! Suarez sent off for a handball on the goal line, which turned out to be crucial

Thirteen years ago, one of the most bizarre moments in football history took place in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Luis Suárez was sent off in injury time against Ghana for a handball on the goal line, but it proved to be the key to their progress to the semi-finals.

2. july 2010 saw one of the most bizarre moments in football history at the World Cup in South Africa. He sacrificed himself for the team, who then hit back in the penalty shootout.

In perhaps the toughest group, Uruguay finished sovereignly at the top of the table. It left behind second-placed Mexico, host South Africa and surprise favourite France, who finished in last place with just one point.

The eight-final draw assigned the Uruguayan team to the national team of South Korea. But Luis Suárez produced one of the best performances of the final tournament, downing the Asian team with two goals and sending his team to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1970.

Uruguay then faced Ghana, who advanced past the United States. In the match, the Ghanaians took the lead through a goal by Muntari in the set time of the first act. However, Forlán equalised shortly after the change of sides.

The match thus went into a set-up in which things happened. When it came to penalty kicks, the Uruguayan players had to face a snarl in their own penalty area. After a free direct kick, Suárez had to save his team twice on the goal line, but on the second attempt he knocked the ball out of the net with his hand.

The referee sent him off and ordered a penalty kick. But Asamoah Gyan headed the ball into the crossbar and the match went to a penalty shootout. Uruguay dominated the match and advanced to the semi-finals, where they were the only South American representatives.

In the semi-final, Suárez was of course unable to play due to suspension and Uruguay succumbed to the Dutch selection. In the battle for third place, the South American selection then fell to Germany. The spectators booed Suárez every time he touched the ball, but he saw nothing wrong with his action.

“I have nothing to apologize for,” Suárez later told CBS Sports. “If I hurt someone, I would apologize. But I got a red card for playing with my hands. The Ghanaian player didn’t give the penalty, not me.”

Source: Wikipedia, CBS Sports, Twitter – Edward Iputo