Uruguayan media salute semi-final qualification

“Just crazy – God’s hand is sky blue.” Such was the reaction of the Uruguayan media on Saturday to their country’s qualification for the semi-finals of the World Cup.

After Luis Suarez was red-carded for his handball on the line right at the death the media praised what they saw as a selfless act which kept the Uruguayans in the tournament as Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty and then the South Americans won the ensuing shootout, Sebastian Abreu coolly netting the winner.

The achievement of a first run to the semi-final since 1970 made front page headlines nationwide.

“Days of glory,” wrote Ultimas Noticias, while El Observador preferred “they are legends.”

La Republica’s headline was “From Hell to Paradise – people amazed by the epic Celeste.”

There was praise for Suarez, meanwhile.

“Long live the hands of Luis Suarez,” wrote El Pais, which saluted the “hands of angels” in allusion not just to Suarez but also to the pair of saves which keeper Fernando Muslera made in the shootout.

“It was the save of the tournament,” said El Observador with regard to Suarez’s last-ditch stop.

Several papers also praised Abreu – nicknamed El Loco (the madman) for his chipped winner, which drew epithets including “a mad winner” and “it’s just crazy.”

Now Uruguay go up against the Dutch and La Republica called on the team to “send them packing like in 1924 and 1928,” references to Olympic triumphs against the Netherlands.