Group C of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 12 June and ended on 23 June 2010.[1] The group consisted of England, the United States, Algeria, and Slovenia. Only England and the United States had previously met at a World Cup: in 1950, when the United States defeated England 1–0.
As group winners, the United States advanced to face Group D runners-up, Ghana, while England, as group runners-up, faced the winners of Group D, Germany.
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All times local (UTC+02)
England controlled the early part of the match and got off to a quick lead when an unmarked Steven Gerrard made a run into the box and beat U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard in the 4th minute. The U.S. levelled the game in the 40th minute when a seemingly harmless shot by Clint Dempsey was mishandled by England keeper Robert Green and rolled into the back of the net. This mishap has been dubbed "The Hand of Clod" by the media. The U.S. had a good opportunity to take the lead and pull off a surprise upset in the second half. U.S. striker Jozy Altidore muscled his way through the left side of the English defense and had a good attempt on goal. However, Green deflected the shot against the crossbar. England also had a good opportunity to win the game when Emile Heskey fired straight at the goalkeeper while one-on-one.
| 12 June 2010 20:30 |
England | 1 – 1 | United States | Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg Attendance: 38,646 Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)[2] |
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| Gerrard 4' | Report | Dempsey 40' |
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England[3]
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United States[3]
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
| 13 June 2010 13:30 |
Algeria | 0 – 1 | Slovenia | Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane Attendance: 30,325 Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)[4] |
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| Report | Koren 79' |
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Algeria[5]
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Slovenia[5]
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Once again the Americans were outplayed early, as Valter Birsa netted for Slovenia from distance and Zlatan Ljubijankič extended the lead soon after to give them a 2-0 lead at half-time. In the 48th minute Landon Donovan cut the lead in half for the U.S. when he dribbled into the Slovenian box and blasted a close-range shot over Samir Handanovič into the roof of the net. The U.S. kept their hopes of advancement alive when they equalised in the 82nd minute. Altidore placed a header into the Slovenian box that was run down by midfielder Michael Bradley who lobbed the keeper to tie the game. A few minutes later, the U.S. looked as if they were going to complete their comeback when a Donovan free kick was volleyed in by substitute Maurice Edu. However, referee Koman Coulibaly disallowed the goal. The game would end in a 2-2 draw.
| 18 June 2010 16:00 |
Slovenia | 2 – 2 | United States | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 45,573 Referee: Koman Coulibaly (Mali)[6] |
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| Birsa 13' Ljubijankič 42' |
Report | Donovan 48' Bradley 82' |
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Slovenia[7]
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United States[7]
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
| 18 June 2010 20:30 |
England | 0 – 0 | Algeria | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 64,100 Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)[6] |
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| Report |
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England[8]
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Algeria[8]
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
| 23 June 2010 16:00 |
Slovenia | 0 – 1 | England | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 36,893 Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany) |
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| Report | Defoe 23' |
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Slovenia[9]
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England[9]
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Early in the game the U.S. nearly allowed another early goal as an Algerian shot hit the top bar. Throughout the remainder of the game the U.S. had a number of good chances against a solid Algerian defense that allowed just one goal from two games. U.S. striker Jozy Altidore volleyed wide of an open net, while Clint Dempsey had a goal disallowed for a controversial offside call and later hit the bar on a shot and missed an empty net on the rebound. After 90 minutes of a scoreless affair, the U.S. appeared to be going out of the World Cup despite not losing a game, but in stoppage-time U.S. goalie Tim Howard quickly threw an outlet pass to Landon Donovan, who moved the ball up the pitch and passed the ball just outside the box to Altidore, who then passed the ball to an open Dempsey in the middle of the box. With the goalie closing in Dempsey shot quickly and was blocked, however Donovan followed the shot and put the rebound into the net for an easy goal. The U.S. would hold on for the final few minutes for a 1-0 victory. The late goal not only saved the U.S. from elimination but also allowed the U.S. to win their group for the first time since 1930.
| 23 June 2010 16:00 |
United States | 1 – 0 | Algeria | Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Attendance: 35,827 Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium) |
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| Donovan 90+1' | Report |
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United States[10]
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Algeria[10]
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
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