The United States progress to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup to meet Spain courtesy of a stunning 3-0 win over lacklustre Egypt.
Their qualification is all the more amazing for the fact that they had a six goal difference tally to overcome prior to this evening’s fixture.
But goals from Charlie Davies, Michael Bradley, and Clint Dempsey, coupled with Italy’s 3-0 defeat to all-conquering Brazil, saw the impossible come true.
The Egyptian side began brightly, enjoying a goalmouth scramble within the first ten minutes, but as soon as the United States established a midfield rhythm the tide turned.
Michael Bradley tested Essam El Hadary on the quarter-hour mark with a fierce drive, forcing a one-handed save, and then Landon Donovan opted to square the ball to blank space when faced with goal in a bizarrely-concluded counter.
The few fans who bothered to attend in Rustenberg were soon treated to their first goal, though: El Hadary, who was so inspirational against Italy, inexplicably dropped a cross into the path of Charlie Davies for a tap-in.
The USA continued to press forward, Egypt threatening only through a long-ranger from Hosny Abd Rabo, as the break approached.
One possible reason for Egypt’s poor showing was the fact that by this point they were still through: Brazil’s 3-0 lead over Italy gave them a 2-0 advantage over the USA.
All that was to change after the break, though, as the Americans drove forward yet again.
Egypt, having made all their substitutions, were in a state of disarray on the hour mark when Michael Bradley seized the ball in his own half, strode forward, and played a one-two with Landon Donovan before placing the ball into the far corner.
Just ten minutes later, the belief in the air was palpable as the USA added a third, Clint Dempsey rising to head home an excellent Jonathan Spector cross from deep.
Both teams began to tire in the late stages, but Egypt found a final burst of energy to get the ball into the final third. It wasn’t enough, though, and the Americans celebrated the unlikeliest of unlikely qualification the second that full-time blew, Brazil’s rout of Italy having already concluded.
