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On paper England were the strongest team in a group that included the USA, Slovenia and Algeria but they made heavy weather of qualifying. The USA deservedly finished top of the group.
2006 | World Cup Index | 2014
England
USA
From the kick-off, England played with pace and aggression, taking the lead through a well-taken goal by Gerrard in the fourth minute. The United States, to their credit, absorbed England' s pressure but had no clear cut chances until a school boy error by the England goalkeeper, Robert Green, allowed a speculative shot by Dempsey to tumble out of his hands and across the line.
In the second half England pressed but the best chance fell to Altidore of the United States, whose shot was beaten onto the post by Green.
Algeria
Slovenia
Neither team impressed in a dull match enlivened by the antics of Algeria's reserve goalkeeper, Chaouchi, whose error in the 79th minute allowed Slovenia to win the game and earned him a nomination for the World Cup comedy goal keeping awards. Algeria's substitute Ghezzal was sent of in the 58th minute.
Slovenia
Up 2-0 at half-time, Slovenia appeared to be on their way to creating an unexpected result but the United States responded strongly in the second half, Michael Bradley scoring the equalising goal eight minutes from time. Maurice Edu's volley into the net appeared to clinch a win for the US but his goal was disallowed by referee Koman Coulibaly to the fury of the USA team.
England
Algeria
England turned in a wretched performance against an Algerian side that can best be described as modest. The result meant England had to beat Slovenia in their final group match in order to progress.
Slovenia
England
Only a win would guarantee England a place in the last 16 and they approached the game with a greater sense of determination than was evident in their previous matches. After Defoe got onto the end of a superb cross from James Milner to put them ahead in the 22nd minute, they played with greater freedom and completely dominated Slovenia. As the match wore on, however, England failed to put away their chances and with the Slovenians always threatening to score from a breakaway, the last half-hour was a nerve wracking affair. With the score still 1-0 at full-time, Slovenia were set to join England in the next round but as the final whistle went, news came through that the USA had scored against Algeria, a result that left England in second place and put Slovenia out.
USA
Algeria
In a closely contested game both sides had chances to score but at the end of 90 minutes, the game was goal-less, a result that would have seen both teams out of the competition. Incredibly, with seconds left in added time, Jozy Altidore fired in a cross that was parried by Algerian 'keeper, Rais M'Bolhi to the feet of Landon Donovan who slotted the ball home. In the aftermath, the Algerian captain Anther Yahia was sent off for dissent. USA finished top of the group by virtue of having scored more goals than England, who finished as runners-up.
Match by Match Reports
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