2010 World Cup: USA v Ghana full time report
USA 1 Ghana 2
Asamoah Gyan's extra-time winner sent Ghana through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time at the expense of the USA after an entertaining last 16 clash in Rustenburg.
Landon Donovan had cancelled out Kevin-Prince Boateng's first half strike from the penalty spot to take the match to extra-time. But Gyan's winner ensures that Africa still have a representative in this summer's finals.
The Black Stars had only scored from the penalty spot before this match, but Boateng's strike on the fourth minute was their first from open play and handed the Ghanaians an early lead at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
The talented 23-year-old has shone for Ghana at this summer's World Cup finals, and was allowed to skip past Jay DeMerit with ease after sloppy play in the USA midfield. Boateng's brilliant finish from outside the box flew past Tim Howard at his near post; but this was no goalkeeping error. This was a shot of genuine quality from the young Portsmouth star, who'll surely be courting offers from bigger clubs over the forthcoming weeks.
Bob Bradley's side looked disjointed and nervy in the opening stages, and the USA coach duly reacted by making a tactical substitution after just half an hour. Ricardo Clark made way for Maurice Edu and Bradley's decision nearly paid off immediately, as Robbie Findley ran through on goal but was thwarted by the impressive Kingson.
At the other end, Howard then made a brilliant save of his own from Kwadwo Asamoah to bail out DeMerit, who'd been caught out by a routine flick-on.
Bradley sent on Benny Feilhaber after the break in place of Findley, and so nearly received instant payback for his second substation when the 25-year-old found himself one-on-one with Kingson after a clever pass from Jozy Altidore. However, the Ghana goalkeeper made another good save from Feilhaber's close-range effort to keep the Africans ahead.
The USA looked a far better outfit in the second half and were threatening to find a way back into this last 16 tie. On the hour mark, Clint Dempsey was stopped in his tracks inside the Ghana penalty by an unfair challenge by Jonathan Mensah. Referee Viktor Kassai had no hesitation by pointing to the spot.
It was no surprise to see Donovan step up to take responsibility. The star man in the USA ranks has been instrumental in South Africa, and dispatched a perfectly placed penalty past Kingson to level the scores.
In the final 20 minutes, the Americans were on top and looked the most likely to snatch a late winner. Michael Bradley was presented with the best opportunity with 15 minutes to go, but once again Kingson was equal to the shot.
And then with 10 minutes left on the clock, Altidore, who'd proved a handful all night, went even closer to sending the US to the quarter-finals. However, the striker could only send his shot wide of the far post after a tussle with John Mensah inside the area.
With neither side able to find a winner in the closing stages of the match, the match was taken to extra-time, with the prospect of a penalty shoot-out also looming large.
Minutes after the teams re-emerged for extra-time, Ghana snatched the lead for the second time in the match after a superb individual goal from Gyan.
The 24-year-old striker withstood a firm challenge from USA captain Carlos Bocanegra and slammed the ball past Howard with his trusty left boot. Advantage Ghana once again, it was now up to Bradley's side to respond once more.
By the second half of extra-time the Americans had visibly ran out of steam and failed to test Kingson.
Despite their best efforts, and a group stage campaign which captured the imagination of the US public, their valiant team crash out of the finals.
As for Ghanaians, the euphoric scenes at the final whistle said it all. This was not only for Ghana - this was for the whole of Africa.
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