Landon Donovan’s goal in the first minute of stoppage time gave the U.S. a 1-0 win over Algeria, advancing the Yanks into the next round as Group C winners.
Donovan’s goal in the 91st came from a Jozy Altidore break, in which he ran down the right side. Near the edge of the six yard box, the Haitian-born forward passed the ball to Clint Dempsey, whose tip was saved by Algerian goalkeeper Rais Bolihi. The rebound fell to Donovan who easily scored from eight yards out.
“Clint made a good run in the middle, the ball fell to me … time kind of stopped,” said an emotional Donovan, who netted his fourth career World Cup goal, tying Bert Patenaude for the most in U.S. history. “You can’t miss from there.”
The goal is probably one of the biggest in the history of U.S. soccer, as the team won Group C. It’s the first time the U.S. has won a group since the inaugural World Cup in 1930 held in Uruguay, in which the U.S. finished third, the best World Cup finish ever for the team.
The U.S. had several chances throughout the game and it was another controversial call that overturned another U.S. goal.
Dempsey scored in the 21st minute off the rebound of a Herculez Gomez shot. Dempsey was called offside by the linesman. However, replays reveal it was a close call but Dempsey appeared onside.
“This team embodies what the American spirit is about,” Donovan said. “We had a goal disallowed the other night. We had another good goal disallowed tonight. But we just keep going. And I think that’s what people admire so much about Americans. And I’m damn proud.”
Dempsey also had another chance in the 57th minute. Altidore crossed the ball to Dempsey who beat the keeper but hit the far post. Dempsey sent his own rebound well wide at the near post.
England’s 1-0 win over Slovenia means the Three Lions finish second, a rather disappointing yet still rewarding result for a squad expected to cakewalk through group play with a full 9 points. They face a tough match-up with Germany, the Group D winners, on Sunday.
The U.S. will face Group D runners-up Ghana on Saturday in a rematch of the final group match in 2006, which Ghana won 2-1 on a controversial penalty.