The United States have reached the World Cup knock-out stages after a last-gasp win over 10-men Algeria.
Landon Donovan was the hero for the USA as he lashed home from close range in stoppage time to enable the USA to leapfrog England and top Group C.
Algeria and USA meet in their final Group C game with both sides still in with a chance of progression.
From Gavin Hamilton in Cape Town
England’s World Cup future is on a knifedge after they failed to beat Algeria at Green Point stadium. Fabio Capello’s side had been expected to beat Algeria comfortably but they failed to find any rhythm in midfield or any cutting edge in attack.
England’s big players – Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard –
England will be looking to put their underwhelming draw against the USA behind them, while Algeria need to bounce back from their loss to Slovenia knowing that a second successive defeat would spell the end of their qualification hopes.
Slovenia won their first ever World Cup match courtesy of a late 1-0 success over 10-man Algeria.
2010 World Cup Podcast: Throughout the tournament we’ll be speaking to leading football pundit Angus Loughran – hear his day one views here!
Algeria’s tactics are built around the game winning potential of Karim Ziani, too often guilty of over elaboration and of losing possession. The diminutive winger spends his time on the right, looking to run at opposing defences.
Meghni is a new find and a good counter on the left side of attack but faces a battle to get fit in
Coach
Rabah SAADANE
03.05.46
Algeria coach since 2007
Brought back initially as stopgap for Algeria after the firing of Frenchman Jean-Michel Cavalli for failure to reach the finals of the 2008 Nations Cup. But after early success he stayed on and engineered a surprise march to the 2010 World Cup. His previous stints include coaching the country at the 1982 finals in Spain, where
Algeria coach Rabah Saadane was interviewed on the eve of the 2010 tournament. He acknowledged that his side had been drawn in a difficult group, but was optimistic about their chances.
A sense of gloom is sweeping over Algeria as the World Cup approaches and the country awaits in increasing desperation on the fitness of several key players in the build-up to the tournament.
Algeria’s top stars have seen little action since the African Nations Cup in Angola in January. That is not because they have had only one international assignment since – in March against Serbia – but rather because they have been either injured or dropped by their club sides.
