Slovenia leads 2-1 against US after 75 minutes in Group C match at World Cup

Slovenia leads 2-1 against US after 75 minutes

JOHANNESBURG — Slovenia has a 2-1 lead over the United States after 75 minutes in their Group C match at the World Cup.

Valter Birsa’s left-footed drive from more than 25 yards caught U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard off-guard in the 13th minute, and Zlatan Ljubijankic’s goal in the 42nd gave Slovenia a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Landon Donovan reduced the margin when he lifted a right-footed shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle three minutes after the break.

Howard punched Birsa’s powerful free kick away in the 62nd and blocked another shot in the 65th to keep margin at one goal.

After being pulled down outside the area, Jozy Altidore pounced on a rebound from Donovan’s free kick, but had his shot saved by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic in the 70th.