Weekday World Cup game didn’t stop people from watching USA beat Algeria 1-0

ESPN sets records for following USA game online

NEW YORK — The United States soccer team’s dramatic victory over Algeria was followed by a record number of people online and on mobile devices.

ESPN said 1.1 million people watched at least some of the USA’s 1-0 win as it was streamed on an ESPN website Wednesday. The match, which was also watched on television by 8.6 million people, lasted from 10 a.m. to noon EDT, during working hours for most of the United States.

The network says it was the biggest online audience for a sporting event, beating the Duke-Butler NCAA championship basketball game on a Monday night from earlier this year.

The U.S. team moved on to the World Cup’s final 16 when Landon Donovan scored a goal with about two minutes to spare.