Coming into today’s match with African nation Algeria, the USA needed a win to assure itself of a birth in the top 16 of World Cup 2010.The USA was in third place of Group C after drawing with England 1-1, and Slovenia 2-2, respectively.
Algeria was in fourth place in the four team group, but they had a chance to advance with a victory over the USA. The anticipation was high right before the match, and both teams were excited to get the action started.
The action started fast and furious, as Karim Matmour took at a shot at giving Algeria a quick 1-0 advantage in the opening seconds of the match, but his shot hit the crossbar, allowing the USA to breathe a sigh of relief. The USA’s defense closed fast after that, doing a great job against Algeria’s tough, pesky offensive attack.
Refik Djebbour tried a shot on goal for Algeria a few minutes later, but the shot went wide. Clint Dempsey tried a similar shot for the USA, but his shot was off the mark. Next, Hercules Gomez attempted to score a goal, but his shot missed his target, leaving the USA tied with Algeria 0-0.
The game was an entertaining and exciting one. In the 21st minute, it appeared the USA would go up 1-0, as Clint Dempsey’s shot hit the back of the net. The excitement was short-lived, however, as the referee ruled him off sides. The call was very controversial, as it appeared that he was not off sides. This is the second time during World Cup 2010 that the USA was robbed of a goal for an apparent miscalled off sides penalty. The USA didn’t let the call hold them back. They forged ahead, hoping to score the goal that would put them in the top 16 of World Cup 2010.
The score was tied 0-0 at the half, with both teams trading opportunities that never really turned into anything. The second half was a battle, with both the USA and Algeria wanting the victory so they could move on to the elimination round, the top 16 of World Cup 2010.
Each team traded blows during the second half, but neither the USA or Algeria could score a goal. Things looked bleak for the USA, as time went by, it soon became the 90th minute, and neither team had scored a goal. It the USA couldn’t score a goal, they would be eliminated.
Then, a miracle happened. The soccer gods smiled on the USA, and they scored a goal. It took them all the way until one minute of penalty time for Landon Donovan’s put-back of a Jozy Altidore missed shot to give the USA just what it needed, a long sought-after goal.
The goal put the USA up 1-0. It was all they would need to defeat Algeria, as the final whistle soon blew.
The USA is now headed to the top 16 of World Cup 2010 after winning Group C. They will face off against another African nation, Ghana. The match will be held on Saturday in Rustenburg.
