Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies
Pretoria, June 23 2010:
Landon Donovan scored a goal seconds into stoppage time on Wednesday to give the United States a dramatic 1-0 victory over Algeria, and handing the Americans a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
The victory gave the Americans top spot in Group C, finishing on five points like England 1-0 winners over Slovenia also on Wednesday but the US edged them on goals scored.
Slovenia and Algeria were eliminated.
Donovan, who matched a US record with his 11th World Cup appearance, set up the decisive move with a long pass to Jozy Altidore, who raced into the penalty area only for his shot to be blocked by Algerian goalkeeper Rasis Bolhi.
Donovan following up blasted home the re-bound for his fourth World Cup goal, equalling another US mark.
The Americans were minutes from crashing out as a draw with the Desert Foxes would not have been enough to move ahead of Slovenia.
At the final whistle, the Americans began jumping for joy, Donovan kicking the ball into the stands.
At Port Elizabeth, striker Jermain Defoe rescued England's stuttering campaign with a first-half strike that was enough to beat Slovenia 1-0 and book a place in the second round.
Defoe started for the first time in the tournament and converted James Milner's perfect cross in the 23rd minute to put England ahead and send their suffering fans into a frenzy.