Ghana...

Just got bounced from the World Cup in an emotionally crushing loss. Historically crushing. Unspeakably crushing.

With the final play in extra time (still soccer time) in a fiercely fought battle to go to the Final Four (to use bball terminology, no African team had ever gone that far), the Ghanaians had one final free kick. In the ensuing melee with a lot of jostling and strategic stuff I don't understand, Africa's last team standing had a great chance to score, the Uruguay goalie was taken out of the play, and a Ghanaian forward jumped to head in the would-be game winner, except a Uruguay defender, out of desperation, stepped in with a completely advertant handball to keep the ball out of the net.

Red flag card. Penalty kick. A chip shot for the win, with the hopes of an entire continent hanging in the balance.  And Ghana misses...high off the post.

Then loses on penalty kicks.

Not since Gordon Bombay chipped his triple-deek off the sidebar have I seen mere inches decide so many fates.

Heartbreaking. But captivating. A brutal reminder of why we love sports.