All smiles the Netherlands Wesley Sneijder knows how to use his head leading the Dutch to 2-1 victory over Brazil to reach the World Cup semifinals - TBWA\Busted photo

SPORTS NOTES - THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN Netherlands oust Brazil 2-1

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Wesley Schneijder shines heading in two goals in a thrilling win for the Dutch - Spikes and elbows were flying as Uruguay outlast Ghana in an extra time thriller - Paris Hilton!!! SAY WHAT!!!

Friday July 2, 2010

IT'S SCHNEIJDER TIME

The Netherlands midfielder Wesley Schneijder headed in two goals in the 63rd and 68th minutes to lead his team to a 2-1 victory over world number one (# 1) Brazil who were tournament favorites when the event began. Schneijder proved that he knows how to use his head. The Brazilians had their way during the first half but lost their composure in the second when it appeared that they wanted to fight than play football.

Brazil's Robinho was in rare form with repeated taunts at Robben. He had too many angry words for the Dutch forward that indicates some bad blood between the two who were teammates at Real Madrid. Robben was continually harassed throughout the game with defensive challenges by Brazil who seemed to be targeting Robben's legs and not the ball. Brazil received yellow cards for their aggressive play until Felipe Melo received a red for attacking Robben with his feet and putting the South Americans in a very negative situation of catch up while being shorthanded with 10 men.

From that point on Brazil lost the plot and it appeared that this was going to be a gang fight and not a football game with there being more of a focus on fouling and diving. Brazil became a horse running around without a head. The result was a 2-1 Brazil loss and a trip home.

The second game between Ghana and Uruguay was one of the tournaments best that went to extra time and a penalty shoot-out. Ghana started off strong with a goal just before the half at (45+2) from Sulley Muntari that set off a stadium of joy as being the last African team standing were representing being the pride of Africa. The downside was they appeared to be playing dirty football with their spikes and elbows high that resulted on an injury and departure of Uruguay's captain Diego Lugano.

Uruguay found their feet in the second half led by a goal from Diego Forlan from a free kick in the 55th minute. Ghana lost its composure and spent much of their time fouling the opposition as well as diving a pleading to the referee for an unwarranted foul.

Ghana fought valiantly but lost the plot when it was obvious that they were being more theatrical than focused on winning. They took cheap shots throughout the game. At the end they were in a position to win when Uruguay's Luis Suarez stood in the goal and committed a hand ball violation. Ghana's Asamoah Gyan missed the free kick at the end of regulation as he struck the ball so hard that it rose up and hit the upper bar sending the game into extra time.

Extra time was a classic battle with neither side having the advantage. With level terms that set up a penalty shootout. Uruguay made their first three penalties while Ghana's missed on their third and fourth attempts. Uruguay's Sebastián Abreu the deal with his down the center slow looping king goal that sends Uruguay to the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 40 years.

YOU'VE GOT TO LOVE HER

It seems that trouble follows Paris Hilton around as she and a friend were busted at the World Cup for possession of that dreaded herb marijuana . Hilton was there to see the Brazil vs. Netherlands game. As luck (of really) would have it her girlfriend took the fall and the $250 fine. Paris...chill...babe!!!