This World Cup's surprise package. But for the hand of the devil as Suarez is now being called, they wouldn't have got this far.
But they have bragging rights in their continent for four years. They got further than Brazil and Argentina, no small feat. Couldn't ever say they were a great team, but they came through a tough Group A and then were fortunate enough to find themselves in the weakest quarter of a World Cup knock out draw seen for many a year. South Korea. USA and Ghana. What team would not have licked their lips and looked to the semis if faced with that trio of beatable nations?
But the winning still had to be done and Forlan proved he's a striker of quality that Man Utd may have been a little hasty in letting go. Such a big performance for such a small nation. It may well be another generation before Uruguay gets this far. But the squad deserve the heroes' welcome they will surely get when they touch down in Montevideo.