URUGUAY striker Luis Suarez claimed “the ‘Hand Of God’ now belongs to me” after he broke Ghana’s hearts and helped his side reach the World Cup semi-finals.

FIFA have confirmed Suarez will be banned for just one match for his handball against the African side meaning the striker will be eligible for the World Cup final if Uruguay beat Holland tomorrow evening at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee had looked at the case and decided against imposing any further punishment beyond the minimum one-match ban after Suarez was shown a red card for saving a goalbound header on the line in the final minute of extra-time.

Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty and Uruguay went through to the semi-final after winning the subsequent penalty shoot-out.

The Ajax striker’s post-match comments evoked memories of Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the 1986 quarter-final.

Suarez said: “The ‘Hand of God’ now belongs to me. Mine is the real ‘Hand Of God’.

“I made the best save of the tournament. Sometimes in training, I play as a goalkeeper so it was worth it. There was no alternative but for me to do that and when they missed the penalty I thought ‘it is a miracle and we are alive in the tournament’.”

Suarez added: “Now we are in the semi-finals although I was very sad because no-one likes to be sent off.

“The celebration afterwards was impressive, but very quiet because nobody gave us a chance but, with courage, we move forward.”

Suarez’s strike partner Diego Forlan, who had scored Uruguay’s equaliser in normal time, backed the actions of his team-mate.

The former Manchester United player said: “It is a pity we won’t have Luis for the semi-final but he made a good save.

“He didn’t score a goal but he saved one. He was sent off but he saved the game for us. Now we will have to try and do our best to reach the final so he’ll be available for that.”