When he gathered his emotions, he spoke like a man who had run through a fire and survived.
"I am the coach, I am a professional, and even so, I lack the necessary calm to carry out an objective analysis," he said.
"Our rival was tough. The game was very difficult, we didn't play well. We were lucky and luck is important."
The Uruguayans confronted a fast, powerful Ghana who had just about all the 84,000 fans packed into Johannesburg's Soccer City as well the rest of the African continent behind them.
The controversy, and sadness elsewhere at the exit of Africa's last team, did not diminish the joy in the Uruguayan camp and back home across the Atlantic Ocean.
The victory sealed Uruguay's best World Cup run in 40 years and set off an explosion of celebration in a country desperate for a return to the glory days when La Celeste twice won the trophy.
"Let the people party and enjoy this. We will rest and prepare for Tuesday," said Forlan as he left the pitch, his sky-blue shirt turned dark with sweat.
The victory was all the more sweet as arch-rival and neighbour Brazil - a country with more than 50 times Uruguay's 3.5 million population - were knocked out by the Netherlands. Uruguay will play the Dutch in the semi-final on Tuesday.
"Those who believe in fate or destiny might be able to explain. I don't believe in fate or destiny," said Tabarez, who is known as The Master due to his days as a school teacher.
"We did what we had to, we won without playing brilliantly. For many years we haven't had a victory like this. We will face the Netherlands with the same enthusiasm. We hope to be able to play a better kind of football."
However, there was a price to pay. Suarez, whose strike partnership with Forlan has netted three goals apiece in South Africa, will miss the semi-final due to his red card. Defender Jorge Fucile's second yellow card means he also will sit it out.
