Ghana defeated the United States by 2-1 in overtime, and is advancing to the World Cup 2010 quarter-finals facing Uruguay. The game was tied at 1-1 after regular time in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium of Rustenburg, but a goal from Asamoah Gyan in 93′ sent Ghana to the Top 8 for the first time in history.
The match started ideally for Ghana that scored a quick goal just 5 minutes in the game: Kevin-Prince Boateng won the ball after a mix-up in the midfield area, moved ahead without anybody stopping him to sent a powerful shot in the right corner of Tim Howard’s net. The United States took a while to come back from the shock, and during that time Milovan Rajevac’ team took control of the game, had the ball possession and were creating chances but nothing really dangerous (except maybe a foul shot by Asamoah Gyan in 18′).
After the first 30 minutes went by Bob Bradley rushed to make a substitution since the United States were losing control of the match as well as any chances to score an equaliser. Maurice Edu came in to put the American midfield area back together, and his team was slowly slowly balancing the game again. The United States ever lost a great chance to tie the match with Robbie Findley, that sent the ball directly on Richard Kingson after a close shot inside the penalty area.
Bradley made another substitution during half-time, and the first time Benny Feilhaber touched the ball he almost scored a goal in 47′. The United States now had the absolute control of the game, especially since Landon Donovan woke up and started performing a little bit better. Donovan scored the equaliser with a penalty shot in 62′, after Clint Dempsey was clearly fouled by Jonathan Mensah that also saw a yellow card.
The two teams were not satisfied with a tie during regular time, and created many chances for goal during the last 30 minutes of the game. Kingson stopped Altidore in 68′ as well as Bradley 8 minutes later, and Ghana lost a great chance with Gyan in 83′ but his close range header barely missed the target.
Ghana took the lead again in the third minute of overtime, with Asamoah Gyan winning the ball between two American defenders and firing a powerful shot that made a statue out of Tim Howard. USA did not give up, had many good chances during overtime but the players were clearly tired. So Ghana will advance to the World Cup 2010 quarter-finals carrying the hopes of all Africa on their shoulders since all the other teams are already out of the tournament.
