Competition: 2010 World Cup
Teams: 1 U.S vs Ghana 2
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium - Rustenburg
Date: June 26, 2010
Time: 20:30 Local Time [6:30PM Ghana Time]
Ghana beat the United States 2-1 in extra-time in the last-16 clash at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday to secure a historic quarter-final berth at the World Cup.
Striker Asamoah Gyan scored the winner after 93 minutes as the Black Stars become the third African side after Cameroon and Senegal to reach the last eight stage of the competition.
The striker run onto a high ball from Andre Ayew, held off his marker and let goal a powerful left strike that flew past Tim Howard and he celebrated his third goal at the World Cup in style.
Ghana, the only African side remaining in the World Cup will clash with Uruguay in the quarter-finals at Soccer City in Johannesburg on July 2.
The goal reverberated the stadium as the Vuvuzelas sounded aloud across the grounds, repeating the same feat four years ago when the Black Stars won by the same score margin to secure a second round berth on their debut.
Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng had given his side an early lead in the fifth minute after firing from the edge of the box into the bottom-left of Howard's goal. The goal was his debut for Ghana.
The first change of the game was done by the Americans as Ricardo Clark was taken off for Maurice Edu.
Ghana, who were in the driving seat from then failed to capitalise on their first half domination as Kwadwo Asamoah saw his close effort blocked by Howard in the 37th minute.
Goalkeeper Richard Kingson pulled off a great save sticking out his leg to block substitute Benny Feilhaber's close range shot to deny the US an equaliser as Ghana held onto their 1-0 lead to finish the half.
Back from recess, the United States were the stronger side and their efforts paid off in the 62nd minute as referee Viktor Kassai awarded a penalty against Ghana after defender Jonathan Mensah had tripped Clint Dempsey in the box.
Landon Donovan drew the US level from the penalty spot and that goal brought them back into the game as the night witnesses some nervous moments.
Milovan Rajevac made two second half changes, bringing on Lee Addy and Stephen Appiah for Hans Adu-Sarpei and Boateng.
But Ghana’s attempt at jumping into the lead never happened with the game heading to extra time.
Sulley Muntari was the final change for Ghana as Samuel Inkoom was taken off in the second half of extra-time.
Three minutes into the start of extra-time and Gyan settled the tie, angling a shot to send Ghana through with Uruguay, their next opponents.
Line up: Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Hans Adu Sarpei/Lee Addy, Jonathan Mensah, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom/Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng/Stephen Appiah, Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah, Andre Ayew
Subs: Daniel Agyei, Prince Tagoe, Isaac Vorsah, Lee Addy, Rahim Ayew, Derek Boateng, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Mathew Amoah, Dominic Adiyiah, Stephen Ahorlu