USA shocks top ranked Spain to reach Confederation Cup finals
By ANIThursday, June 25, 2009
BLOEMFONTEIN - The United States pulled off a 2-0 upset win over world No. 1 Spain here in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.
The US was on the brink of exiting the tournament after two poor performances and facing a nearly impossible formula to reach the semifinals, but after the historic victory Americans are heading to Johannesburg for Sunday’s championship game.
Jozy Altidore, 19-year-old forward who plays professionally in Spain, scored midway through the first half. Americans expanded their lead in the 74th minute on veteran midfielder Clint Dempsey’s goal, ending Spain’s world-record winning streak at 15 and stopping its two-and-half-years unbeaten run at 35.
In the final, the United States will play the winner of Thursday’s Brazil-South Africa match.
The Americans lost their first two games in the group stage to football giants Italy and Brazil. (ANI)
