USA Leave It Late

The USA had a last gasp goal in their final match against Algeria yesterday as Langdon Donovan scored in the ninetieth minute to see the USA top Group C.

America and Algeria were locked together at 0-0, a result that would have seen both side crash out of the competition as England were beating Slovenia 1-0.

Both sides started the game with real purpose and it was the Algeria who got the first real chance after just six minutes when Djebbour struck the bar, but that was due to some poor defending from Jay DeMerit.

Just moments it was the USA's chance to threaten as when Hercules Gomez launched a long ranged strike at goal, but the shot was comfortably dealt with by keeper M'Bohli.

But as the opening half progressed it was America that were growing more and more dominant and more and more aggressive as they controlled most of the possession.

After twenty minutes and they should have been 1-0 up when Clint Dempsey, after a first shot from Donovan, shot the ball passed M'Bohli - but, once again, the goal was disallowed as Dempsey was ruled off side and the score remained at 0-0.

But American didn't drop their heads and continued to push forward as Dempsey came close once again. But Altidore missed the best chance as he sent the ball over the bar from just five yards out.

But Algeria were not spectators in the match as they showed there attacking qualities by continuing to push forward, however they couldn't convert this in the final third of the pitch.

Into the second half and the USA were still in control and it was Dempsey once again who had an early chance to break the deadlock. He picked up a ball from Alitidore and fired home, only to see it come off the post.

With the USA's future in the balance, England still winning 1-0, coach Bob Bradley sent more fire power into the USA side as Edson Biddle and Benny Feilhaber joined the action.

Algeria took advantage of most of the USA side being in attack as Saifi had a chance to bag the winner but he headed the shot straight at keeper Tim Howard.

Time was ticking away for America and their World Cup hopes were quickly fading but it was Langdon Donovan who came to the rescue two minutes from time.

Altidore had raced clear before crossing to Dempsey whose close range shot came back out off the goalkeeper right into the path of Donovan. And the former Everton man needed no invitation to strike as he calmly slotted the ball home for a 1-0 victory.

The win sees them top Group C, and will now play Ghana, with England behind on goal difference and they face a clash with Germany.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw