This game was mostly poor on quality but somehow intriguing. Few games were more entertaining while being littered with bad play.
Ghana kept up the African continent's interest in the tournament with an entertaining win over USA.
I felt the game itself was not very high on quality with errant passing, too much scrappy play in the middle of the park and regulation giveaways.
That it took a goal of sheer invention and quality to decide it goes to show just how crazy and unpredictable football can be.
Kevin Prince-Boateng gave the Africans an early lead with a well taken goal. USA seemed to be dozing and Ghana looked up for it. But then it petered out.
Ghana had the most of the game with better possession and attacks that looked promising. However, just as their group games showed, they were unable to step up from getting the ball in good positions in and around the box to potential chances.
So, the build up play was good, but chances were not created. And then the USA would take over. The Americans would repeat the Ghanaian buildup at the other end with little end product.
You just knew the game was going to end a tepid uninspiring 1-0. Despite the possession the Americans matched Ghana very well.
And so it continued. The suddenly, USA had a penalty. Jonathan Mensah, not John Mensah (who was also, confusingly on the pitch at the time), hauled over Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan converted the spot kick.
Game on.
The game lit up now with both teams deciding to go for the jugular instead of holding back. So much for new world football being tactically behind European football.
Extra time beckoned and as we were hoping for this contest to not go to penalties, Ghana struck again.
Andrew Ayew looped a long ball over the USA defence. Asamoah Gyan cut in, controlled it beautifully and sent it into the roof of the net. Not quite the hammer blow of a golden goal, but game, set and match.
USA defender Carlos Bocanegra was caught looking at the heavens to try and locate the ball as Gyan had it under control and had put some daylight between them. The finish was superlative and no less than Ghana deserved.
Despite the majority of the game being slightly ugly to watch, the finish was of the best quality and Ghana would move on.
USA were out, but can hold their heads high after a great tournament for them in which they held their own against European teams, topped their group and looked a genuine threat. They will return, stronger and more confident, in four years. Donovan is definitely worthy of a place in the top echelons of forwards int eh game today.
Ghana 2 - 1 USA
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