World Cup 2010: Algeria vs. USA Results USA goes to next stage of world cup
The USA played Algeria in a match that decided the outcome of Group C. England and Slovenia kicked off at the same time in what was a very exciting evening here in South Africa. The USA were favourites to win the match and they started off in a very positive fashion with Landon Donovan pulling the strings at the heart of the team.
With former US president Bill Clinton watching on, alongside FIFA president Sepp Blatter, in the crowd, the USA had a goal denied on the 20th minute when Clint Dempsey put the ball in the back of the net, but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside. The replays showed that the decision was perhaps a little harsh since the attacking player is supposed to get the 'benefit of the doubt' and there appeared to be no daylight between Dempsey and the Algerian defender.
USA coach Bob Bradley looked on as his team continued to pressurize the Alergerians, who were trying to catch the USA on the break but they struggled with the final ball and the attacks up until the half hour mark were fruitless. The game was played from end to end with both teams knowing that only a win would do.
Clint dempsey got another chance to put the states ahead but his shot was pushed aside by the Algerian goalkeeper, Mbouli, was in inspired form and continued to keep the Algerians in the game. In the 36th minute, Jozy Altidore had the perfect opportunity to finally break the deadlock but he missed from less than 10 yards out. Awful finishing by the USA striker, who should have scored there.
In the last five minutes of the half there were some shots from outside the penalty area but neither of the teams managed to really trouble either goalkeeper. The game stayed nil nil at half time and with England leading in the other game both these teams would have been out of the world cup if the scores had stayed the same.
USA coach brought on Benny Feihaber for gomes, to help push for a win against the Algerians. At the start of the half, the Algerians had a string of corners as they went forward with greater purpose in hopes of securing an unlikely place in the next round, but they couldn’t turn the pressure into a goal and the corners were wasted.
In the 56th minute, Clint Dempsey was put through on goal for the umpteenth time and he took a shot that beat the keeper but it rebounded off the goal and with the goal beckoning, Clint Dempsey skied the ball, leaving his teammates furious. The Algerian Goalkeeper couldn’t help but smile at the good fortune that had kept the Algerians in the game up to that point. The USA goalkeeper, Tim Howard, on the other hand was hardly troubled by the Algerians despite the Algerians getting into a number of promising positions.
The Algerian goalkeeper made one of the best saves of the tournament in the 67th minute when he denied Altidore, who powerfully headed the ball towards the net but Mbouli stopped the shot and quickly got up to start a counter attack for the Algerians who nearly scored at the other end.
The deadlock was almost broken in the 78th minute when the USA got a freekick on the edge of the area. Bradley took the freekick and it took yet another fine save from the Algerian goalkeeper to stop the states from scoring. Another freekick in the 83rd minute flew way over the Algerian goal, Clint Dempsey the man taking it this time.
Damarcus Beasley looked to be through on a goal in the 89th minute but the referee’s whistle stopped the play. Beasley was then booked for trying to control the ball with his hand.
The defining moment came in the 91st minute as USA’s best player, Donovan, scored after a fast counter attack. This goal meant that the USA now progress to the next round alongside England who beat Slovenia one nil in their match. The referee piled on more misery on the Algerians at the end of the match, as Yaha was sent off for a second bookable offence for dissent.
The USA thoroughly deserved to win this game, given the amount of chances they created and were it not for the Algerian goalkeeper, the scoreline could have been two or three nil.
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