So, after that turgid display of inadequacy from Iran and Nigeria, surely we’re set to get back to goals, free-flowing football and, eh, chances? It’s the second game in Group G between Ghana and the USA.
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Ghana 1-2 USA (Dempsey 1, A. Ayew 82, Brooks 86)
Good evening to you all. Well, that was pretty awful stuff between Iran and Nigeria, wasn’t it? Let’s put it this way – this game can’t exactly be any worse.
Let’s get straight to the team news, shall we?
Ghana: Kwarasey, Gyan, Opare, Atsu, A. Ayew, Muntari, J. Ayew, Rabiu, Mensah, Asamoah, Boye.
USA: Howard, Bradley, Besler, Beasley, Dempsey, Bedoya, Jones, Beckerman, Altidore, Cameron, Johnson.
So, for the US, lots of familiar names. But also some players to watch for. Kyle Beckerman plays for Real Salt Lake in MLS and he’s a lot better than his hairstyle suggests.
He’s a no-nonsense midfielder and will play at the bottom of a midfield diamond.
For Ghana, there’s no Kevin Prince Boateng or Michael Essien but Jordan Ayew is handed a start after a hat-trick in last week’s friendly with South Korea.
Here’s why we love Ghana. Because they dance. And they sing. And play instruments. This is the team arriving for tonight’s game and you have to agree that it’s pretty impressive, no? That’s Gyan with the cow-bell, by the way.
By the way, on the Ghana bench tonight is Afriyie Acquah. He’s got a fascinating story. As a boy, he was taken in by a Belfast family when he went to Northern Ireland as part of a football academy programme in his native country. As a fifteen year-old, he spent a fortnight with the Robinson family in Belfast and spent his time bonding with their children and bossing the Playstation. Maybe a reason to shout for Ghana tonight.
President Obama has got in on the act.
Obviously meant to *not* include the actual video. Just checking you’re all still awake. Here’s what the Prez actually said.
Good news. The anthems are being played. Always a relief.
For all of you wondering, Klinsmann moved to Southern California in 1998 – his wife is an American. At that year’s World Cup, Klinsi scored against the USA in the group stage. He’s a proper American at this stage, complete with drawl. In true US-hero style, he also flies planes.
And we’re off! Fingers crossed there will be goals and plenty of entertainment!
1st minute – GOAL! DEMPSEY!
WOW! That’s incredible! After just thirty odd seconds, Clint Dempsey is released in the left channel, runs straight for goal, takes it around one tackle and sweeps it across goal and in off the far post. WHAT A STUNNING START!
Here’s Dempsey’s wonderful opener. Great touch to set the strike up. By the way, Hakan Suker still holds the record for fastest goal (Turkey v South Korea, 11 seconds in 2002)
With that goal, Dempsey becomes the first American to score at 3 different World Cups. #StatsZone
9th minute – Since the goal, the US have bossed things. Passing has been crisp. Their key players have all been involved and there’s plenty of zip and energy to their game.
The goal, for all interested (and I’m sure you ALL are), is the 5th-fastest in World Cup history. Any guesses for what the others are? Answers on a postcard. Well, the comments section.
Some fantastic colour in Natal for this. Both sets of supporters have really gone big for this one.
15th minute – Things have calmed with Ghana trying to find a way through. If they do make a breakthrough, it’s likely to come down their right side with Opare and Ayew looking dangerous as a combo early on.
Michael Bradley is Bob Bradley’s son – the guy who was sacked so the US could appoint Jurgen Klinsmann. But he’s a model pro and has just got on with things despite the obvious awkwardness. He had a brief spell with Aston Villa a few seasons ago and never got a look-in. But he’s been bright so far.
19th minute – CLOSE! Good work down the right side by Bedoya – he sends in a low cross that’s slightly behind Altidore. The striker has to re-align himself and get turned. But by the time he gets the shot in, Ghana get some players back to make a block.
23rd minute – SUBSTITUTION! Johannsson (on) – Altidore (off)
Well, what a blow this is. Jozy Altidore was chasing a ball down the left wing and pulled up, clutching his hamstring. He’s gone off and could be ruled out for the entire tournament now. Football can be very cruel sometimes.
This is nice from Opta.
Altidore is a much-maligned figure (particularly for Sunderland fans) but he’s a crucial cog in the American machine. Klinsmann really has put a lot of faith in him.
29th minute – CLOSE! First decent attempt from Ghana. Ball breaks for Atsu on the edge of the area and he looks to curl it inside Tim Howard’s near post but it’s too high. Good idea though.
Here’s the moment Altidore’s hamstring went. Ouch.
32nd minute – CLOSE! Gyan pops up properly for the first time and makes some space for himself on the left side of the area before trying to curl one inside the far post. It’s pretty easy for Howard though who parries. His defence complete the clearance.
If you’re squeamish, look away now. Dempsey is caught by Boye’s flying boot and will surely feel this tomorrow.
38th minute – Ghana controlling things now, the US happy to retreat and allow Ghana probe. But they can’t afford to be so passive because Opare, Jordan Ayew and Atsu are combining nicely, especially down the right side. Let’s keep an eye on that.
Also, what do we think of this? Gyan wearing different coloured boots. I’d choose slightly more moderate colours but that’s just me…
42nd minute – CLOSE! The US get behind the Ghana defence again. Bedoya has been getting up that right flank really well since the game started and he’s found by Johannsson. The pull-back eventually falls to the substitute but can’t properly connect and snatches at it. Bit of a let-off. Good, positive attack from the Americans.
47th minute – SHEMOZZLE!
Well, sort of. Muntari goes in on Jones but the US midfielder’s studs catch Muntari as he’s trying to get up. It’s pretty accidental but the Ghana veteran doesn’t like it and tears into Jones, falling just short of grabbing him around the neck. Referee lets it go and it all ends with happy-clappy handshakes.
50th minute – VERY CLOSE! That should be an equaliser, really. A quick break down the right side from Ghana because Beasley was caught too far up-field. The ball is slipped inside for Jordan Ayew and he’s completely miscues, catching it on the wrong part of his boot and it rolls harmlessly towards goal before being cleared.
HALF-TIME. 5 minutes of injury-time because of treatment for Altidore and Dempsey. Enjoyable opening 45, wasn’t it? The US certainly the better team but if Ghana had a little more craft and ruthlessness in the final third, I think we’d be 1-1 at the break. Big loss for the Americans with Altidore forced off while Besler may not appear for the second half because of a tight hamstring. Anyway, the moment that separates the sides.
Thanks for your comments. As I wolf down a sandwich, a quick one on Ossie Ardiles. I interviewed him a few years back and was amazed at how heavy his accent still was. But he did talk endlessly about how wonderful Liam Brady is. I asked him about Escape To Victory but not much gossip about either Michael Caine or Sly Stallone. He had plenty on John Wark though.
On the Beeb, the guys are discussing the Pepe sending-off from earlier. Why not check out our top-three of the guy’s maddest moments? And, yes. It was VERY hard to stick to just three.
46th minute – SUBSTITUTION! Brooks (on) – Besler (off)
As I mentioned earlier, Besler was clearly struggling with a hamstring strain so John Brooks replaces him in the centre of defence.
And we’re back underway, by the way.
Worth pre-empting something here. Two US players have been forced off with hamstring injuries. Maybe a sign of being over-trained. No doubt this lad will have something to say about it on Twitter.
51st minute – CHANCE! Well, that’s a nervy start by Brooks – this is his first competitive appearance. He mis-kicks in a dangerous position and Gyan picks it up before racing towards goal. Brooks stays with him, they jostle for the ball, Gyan falls over but not before fouling the youngster whose blushes are spared.
Any thoughts on Beckerman this evening?
56th minute – VERY CLOSE! Oh, Gyan! That’s a glorious chance! A great cross from the left side, Gyan between the two centre-backs and he puts his header over from about eight yards. Really should’ve tucked it away. The US beginning to creak here. Ghana raising the tempo.
58th minute – VERY CLOSE! Ominously for the US, Gyan is getting closer. This time, his header towards Howard’s near post is tipped behind by the Everton goalkeeper. The US feeling the strain and Bedoya seems to be struggling on their right side with an injury. He doesn’t look good.
59th minute – SUBSTITUTION! Prince-Boateng (on) – Jordan Ayew (off)
This should give Ghana a boost. Boateng was carrying an injury coming into this but has thirty minutes to give his side something.
Interesting suggestion from Rio Ferdinand’s best mate Cillian Sheridan. Agree/disagree?
69th minute – The US certainly weathered that storm from Ghana. Boateng has provided some flashes but like the first half, the Africans just lack some guile up top. Lots of bluster and power but not much awareness/vision of what’s on.
71st minute – SUBSTITUTION! Essien (on) – Rabiu (off)
Ghana have to go for it now. This is a crucial game for them. Lose it and they’re struggling big-time to make it to the second round. Essien’s introduction perhaps a bit overdue.
Nice moment when Essien was warming-up. What the World Cup is all about, isn’t it?
77th minute – SUBSTITUTION! Zusi (on) – Bedoya (off)
Graham Zusi is a great midfielder and plays with Sporting Kansas City. Lovely right foot and has a brilliant delivery from set-pieces.
78th minute – SUBSTITUTION! Adomah (on) – Atsu (off)
Atsu looked very lively in the opening period but has faded as the game has gone on. Ghana need to keep their energy up and try to force something late on here.
82nd minute – GOAL! Andre Ayew!
That’s a superbly-worked goal. And, on the basis of their second-half performance, Ghana deserve it. A lovely back-heel from Gyan in the left channel flicks it inside for Ayew who takes a touch and drills it inside Howard’s near post. Outside of the boot. Flowing move. Renewed energy.
86th minute – GOAL! BROOKS!
My word. They’ve only gone and done it. What did I say about Zusi??? He swings in a great corner, John Brooks, the substitute, rises and sends the downward header to the net. Remember, his first competitive appearance. On at the half-time break. Wow. What a moment for him. The US started superbly and have ended in similar fashion.
Incredible response from the US. Belief, character, etc. There’s going to be 5 minutes of injury time, by the way.
FULL-TIME!
And that’s it! What a finale. We wanted something special and boy, did we get it. John Brooks, the 21 year-old, scores the dramatic winner with just a few minutes left to become the newest World Cup hero. His very first goal for his country in his first competitive appearance. His reaction will surely go down as an iconic tournament moment.
Ghana will be deeply frustrated that they couldn’t pick up a point at least. They did well in the second period and created some proper chances before Ayew’s lovely equaliser. But ultimately, they need to offer something more offensively to try and force a way into the knock-out stage. It looks tough for them now.
Thanks for sticking with us tonight and thanks for all the comments too. Check back with the site for plenty more reaction and analysis.
