Satellites into orbit

Ghana celebrate a place in the semi-finals

Ghana 2-1 Brazil (golden goal)

Ghana's youth side completed one of the best footballing days the country has ever experienced by producing possibly the upset of the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.

A late equaliser from Abdul Ibrahim and then a golden goal by John Mensah took the Black Satellites through to a semi-final against Egypt.

Despite the late comeback, Ghana deserved their success as a sluggish Brazil failed to give good enough service to their impressive strikers.

Neither side found any rhythm in a disappointing first half, but wing-back Sulley Muntari looked dangerous for Ghana, raiding down the left.

Muntari tested Brazil keeper Rubinho with a fine shot in the 15th minute, but there was little incident until Brazil moved up a gear just before half time.

Keeper's mistake

Dangerous forward Robert saw his header from a corner cleared off the line by Emmanuel Pappoe, but there was no rescue a minute before the interval.

Defeat is hard for Brazil to take

Pinto broke down the right and whipped in a cross for Adriano, who chested down and struck a shot which Maxwell Banahene let slip through his hands and trickle over the line.

Ghana pushed forward strongly in the second half, and a negative Brazil side were happy to defend until they were caught out on 80 minutes.

John Pantsil picked up the ball on halfway, tore down the right wing past three defenders before cutting the ball back for Ibrahim to curl his shot past Rubinho.

Ibrahim then almost won it from 40 yards, Muntari struck a close-range effort at the keeper and Banahene made amends for his earlier mistake by saving superbly from Adriano in a frantic last five minutes.

Ghana continued to throw caution to the wind in extra time, and earned their reward from a corner when Mensah - who scored the winner in the last round - got in front of his marker to head the golden goal.

Ghana: Banahene, Essien, Villars, Pappoe, Obodai (Thompson 46), Mensah, Muntari, Ibrahim, Pimpong (Osei 23), Boateng, Pantsil