World Cup 2010, United States Vs. Ghana: Black Stars Eliminate U.S., Through To Quarterfinals 2-1, After Extra Time

The United States has been seen out of the World Cup, but it took 120 minutes and an extra time goal from Asamoah Gyan to see them out.

The Ghanaian strike put home his third goal of the tournament in the 93rd minute, a left-footed half-volley from eight yards out put into the top of the next giving Ghana a 2-1 lead. The Black Stars would hold on to the lead for the next 27 minutes.

Ghana moves on to the quarterfinals to face Uruguay.

Ghana went up in the sixth minute through Kevin Prince Boateng, taking advantage of a Ricardo Clark turnover to finish past Tim Howard from 20 yards out to put the Black Stars up 1-0.

Ghana would control the match through half time, when a substitution that brought-on Benny Feilhaber invigorated the U.S., leading to a penalty earning in the 61st minute. Jonathan Mensah’s take-down of Clint Dempsey gave Landon Donovan a chance from the spot. Donovan hit his kick against the inside of the right post, making it 1-1, scoring his third goal of the competition.

In extra time, a long ball played out of the back from Ghana, over the United States defense, allowed Gyan to run onto an opportunity in the box. Gyan got position on Carlos Bocanegra, behind JayDeMerit, to score the decisive goal.

Though the United States leaves the 2010 competition having won a group for the first time since 1930, it is the second straight World Cup where the U.S. ends their tournament with a 2-1 loss to Ghana.

Ghana becomes the third African nation to make the quarterfinals, following Senegal’s 2002 team and Cameroon’s team of 1990. With a win over Uruguay next Friday, Ghana would become the African nation to make the semifinals.