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For all of you soccer (ahem football) fans out there, the match between the U.S. and Algeria was one for the ages. When the whistle blew, the U.S. had defeated Algeria 1-0.
After 91 minutes of nail biting action, Landon Donovan, the most internationally regarded player on the American side, scored from 8 yds out to make sure the U.S. advanced to the next round of 16. The goal was Donovan’s 44th goal in International play, tying a record held for 80 years by American Bert Patenaude.
Not only was it special for Donovan, this was truly one of the biggest goals in U.S. Soccer history. This was the first World Cup win for the U.S. in eight years and the U.S. was atop their group for the first time since 1930. They will face the runner-up in Group D on Saturday at 2:30 EDT, their opponent will be Ghana, Germany or Serbia.
The stunning goal occurred during the first minute of stoppage time….talk about waiting for the last minute to win this thing. For all of you who are new to the soccer world, a match is 90 minutes in length (45 minute per half) with no stops or time outs. Stoppage time is added to the end of each half as a way to make up for the delays that occur during play for injuries or free kicks.
According to an Associated Press report, Donovan said, “I’ve been through a lot in the last four years, I’m so glad it culminated this way. When you try to do things the right way, it’s good to get rewarded.”
The U.S. was three minutes away from elimination as Slovenia and England were set to advance if the American team finished with a draw (tie game). Instead, it’s England and the U.S. representing Group C.
The 2010 World Cup hasn’t come easy for the American side, they have had to deal with their share of bad calls throughout the tournament. A goal in the U.S. vs Slovenia game was called back by a ref, turning what would have been a 3-2 win into a 2-2 draw. And in this match, a goal in the 21st minute by Clint Dempsey was called back because the line judge waved Dempsey offside. Replays confirmed that Dempsey was actually onside and it was a fair goal.
But no matter, the U.S. won anyway and will live to play another day!
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