USA followed England to the round of 16 stage of the World Cup with a last-gasp victory over Algeria in Group C. Landon Donovan scored the all-important goal for the Americans as late as the 91st minute to hand Algeria their second defeat in South Africa. England edged Slovenia 1-0 in Port Elizabeth, courtesy of a first-half strike from Jermain Defoe to come second. USA finish top with five points, having scored more goals than the English. It was an open game in Pretoria as USA thought they were in front early on but had a Clint Dempsey goal ruled out for offside, although replays showed it was a close call. In the other game, Fabio Capello's decision to give Defoe the nod ahead of Emile Heskey seems to have bore fruits early on as the Tottenham hitman proved his worth with the first sight on goal. On 22 minutes, Defoe latched to a James Milner cross to volley in between the hands of Samir Handanovic for the opener. Handanovic then made two brilliant saves in quick succession from Defoe and Steven Gerrard to deny the English another goal before half-time.
Defoe saved England In Pretoria, the US should have taken the lead before the break, but Jozy Altidore missed a clear-cut chance from close range to keep it goalless. Late drama USA once again spurned an easy chance after the break, this time it was Dempsey who hit the post before missing in front of an empty net on the rebound. It was one-way traffic as Algeria, who were in dire need to score their first goal, spent most of the game in their own half. Goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi, only playing his second international game, was on top form, denying Edson Buddle and Michael Bradley. England also had a good chance to double their lead when John Terry's powerful header was parried off the line by the solid Handanovic. But that was it in Port Elizabeth as the game in Pretoria was up for grabs with both teams knowing that a goal would see them through. It was USA who snatched the dramatic equalizer; a 91st minute strike from Donovan, following Mbolhi's block to Dempsey's effort. Algeria finished the game with ten men as captain Antar Yahia was wrongfully sent off in injury time, even though it was Hassan Yebda who protested against the referee.
