USA Score First World Cup Win Over Ghana

The final game on day five of the 2014 FIFA World Cup featured two teams which clashed in the previous two editions – Ghana and the USA, in an important Group G fixture. The Germans had set the pace earlier on in the group with a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing over a tricky Portugal team featuring Cristiano Ronaldo who helped his club Real Madrid win the Champions League last month. The West Africans had gotten the better of their CONCACAF rivals in the two previous World Cups in 2006 and 2010 respectively, so the Americans were out for revenge against the team which had eliminated them in consecutive tournaments. The Ghanaians were hoping that their winning streak against the CONCACAF giants would continue.  It was important for both teams to get a positive result at the Estadio das Dunas though.  The game was merely 32 seconds old when the USA got off to the perfect start. American captain Clint Dempsey got the ball and dribbled into the Ghana penalty area before firing a low shot past a stunned Kwarasey in the Ghana goal. It was the dream beginning for the Stars and Stripes. USA 1, Ghana 0. In the 6^th minute Boye had a chance to put Ghana level but his attempted cross was carefully handled by Howard in the American goal. The Ghanaians continued to press though and a potentially dangerous attack in the 13^th minute was repelled by the American goalie. In the 19^th minute a brilliant counter attack by the Americans almost saw them increase their lead. Unfortunately Altidore squandered the opportunity and the score line still remained 1-0.

Then there was a moment of bad luck for the CONCACAF team as Altidore pulled a hamstring and had to be substituted with Johannsson in the 23^rd minute. In the 24^th minute the West Africans got a corner but the ensuing header went wide. In the 26^th minute Bedoya had a chance to double the American lead but his effort missed the target. A few minutes later Atsu had a shot from the top of the American box, but his attempt was high and wide. In the 33^rd minute Gyan tested the American ‘keeper Howard with a powerful shot, but the U.S. custodian was equal to the task. The U.S. were on the back foot for long periods as Ghana continued to search for the equalizing goal. Just before halftime the Americans were awarded a free kick but the opportunity was wasted and the ball was cleared by the Ghana defense. Soon though, the Ghanaians had a brilliant opportunity to draw level but Ayew’s shot was blocked and the Americans went in with the lead at the break.

At the start of the second half, Klinsmann made a substitution as the USA tried to maintain their strong position in the match. The West Africans were desperate to get the back on level terms. In the 53rd minute a positive build up from Ghana was wasted as Atsu saw his effort go wide. The Ghanaians were now getting more of the ball. In the 55^th a great chance from Gyan just missed the target and the Americans were dodging bullets. Three minutes later Gyan would force Howard into making a save from a header. The Ghana coach Appiah would then bring on Prince to replace Ayew in an attempt to change the West Africans’ fortunes. In the 63^rd minute the USA had a chance to score but Cameron had his shot blocked. In the 65^th a tricky free kick from Gyan forced the American goalkeeper into action and the Stars and Stripes survived. In the 74^th minute Ghana won a corner but the opportunity was wasted as the American defense held firm. In the 77^th minute USA made a substitution as Zusi replaced Bedoya. Ghana followed suit as Adomah came on for Atsu. Dempsey then had a great chance to give the Americans a 2-0 lead, but the Ghana goalie was equal to the task. In the 83^rd minute the Ghanaians were back on level terms as a cheeky back-heel to Ayew in the Americans penalty area enabled the number 10 to score. Before Ghana could settle though, less than four minutes later, the USA soon won a corner; Zusi swung in the ball and Brooks restored the Americans’ lead.  The West Africans continued to press in a desperate attempt to secure the all-important score-leveling goal. Unfortunately for them, Juergen Klinsmann’s men held on for their first win over the Black Stars.