La Celeste progress, South Korea show how far they've come.

It's amazing to think that at the start of yesterday, one of Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana or the USA would be in the Semi Finals. That could and should have been England. Now it's Ghana or Uruguay. Uruguay have looked comfortable for most of the tournament, they had a rather sticky and ugly game against the French, which in hindsight you wonder how they didn't win. I would suggest the French were malignant at that point and not yet terminal cases. the Uruguayans have played some superb football, against South Africa they dominated the side and made them look as ordinary as their world ranking suggests.

Here against South Korea both teams started brightly and South Korea were unlucky not to take the lead when a free kick hit with power and swerve had left Muslera scrabbling at thin air, It was only the post that denied Park Chu-Young a goal inside 5 minutes, a beautifully taken free kick. It takes Uruguay less than 2 minutes to rply, with som horrendous defending, Forlan plays in a ball between the keeper, who comes out and misses by a distance and the defenders ,who all remain stationary about 8 yards out and Suarez comes in unmarked to tap into an empty net from a acute angle. It was slightly against the run of play, but anyone defending like that deserves to get punished. Uruguay after a few more little counter attacks sit back and let Korea play in front of them. Uruguay do look comfortable in possession, but they also allow teams the ball when their in front and just watch them play in front of them. It's exactly what South Korea do, they don't use the width enough to make any real difference, just build up play and then when it looks like korea are too close to the Uruguay goal they step in and defend the ball. At one goal up it seems like a risky strategy, and certainly not one you could roll out against some of the more impressive teams in this tournament. Halftime comes with a whimper. Kore start the half brighter and create a few chances before equalizing in the 68th minute, poor keeping from Muslera and Lee Chung-Yong scores from a close range header. It's what the game needed. Uruguay certainly have to capacity to step it up a gear, and Diego Perez in midfield got around the entire park yesteray, his stats for ground covered must be incredible. It takes Uruguay 12 minutes to respond and it's Suarez again, this time scoring a superb goal, picks the ball up near the corner of the box, shifts the ball onto his right foot and bends it past the keeper and in off the post, absolutely beautiful. Korea have a shot cleared off the line, but other than that Uruguay see out the game. Suarez's second goal was beautiful, and I think Uruguay can be a match for a lot of teams here, their strong in defense, and potent on the counter attack. Suarez also shows that his 49 goal season in the Netherlands was backed by a lot of talent and not just on being in the Dutch Eredivisie, where goals have come freely for the likes of Alfonso Alves, Dirk Kuyt and Mateja Kezman.

South Korea have come along way. They made the semi-finals in their home World Cup with some luck ,some dubious refereeing decisions, and immense home support. Since then they've appointed a home grown coach rather than another foreigner - though who could ever live up to Guus Hiddink's legacy??? - and ave showed progress in their football. there's more guile in their play, there seems greater cohesion, and have become more adaptable in their styles of play. They were a little naive against Argentina, but other than that, they've given teams a really good game and deserve to go home proud.

I'd have my money on the Uruguayans to win their quarter-final against Ghana, but it's not s done deal, now they've managed goals from open play. Crucial for Ghana is the return of Prince Boateng, who is growing in stature and maturity very game. You feel him, alongside Essien would have been a very effective partnership.