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Full Time
England 1 1United States
S. Gerrard  4' 1-0 
 1-1C. Dempsey  40'
HT: 1-1
Royal Bafokeng Stadium (Attendance: 38,646)
Referee: Carlos Eugenio Simon
Preview  |  Stats  |  Match Report
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
England vs. United States
Minute Commentary
95' HONOURS EVEN
England and the USA will still expect to reach the last-16 despite picking up just a point apiece in an opening game of Group C that never really sparked into life. Both teams played at a high tempo that shut down the other, spoiling the game as a spectacle, but it will be an occasion for James Milner and Rob Green to forget - the first hauled off after just 20 minutes, the second a victim of another shambolic England goalkeeping error.
94' FULL-TIME
The referee brings the game to an end and it's fair to say that the USA will be far the happier with that result.
93' TIME RUNNING OUT
It has been a fragmented game with both teams cancelling each other out in midfield. England have been slightly the better side, but the States could have grabbed a winner with the Altidore shot that struck the woodwork.
92' CROUCH FLAGGED
The towering striker is flagged for what must surely have been a foul as he certainly was onside.
90' LATE PRESSURE
The USA have a late corner, but the white shirts are back in numbers and clear the danger.
89' IT'S STILL RISING
Donovan has another speculative shot from distance, but it rises well over the bar.
88' GET ON WITH IT!
The England fans voice their displeasure as Carragher shows little urgency to get the ball further up the field with time running out.
86' CHANGE FOR THE USA
Bob Bradley looks to sure things up, bringing on midfielder Holden for the lively Altidore.
83' TERRIFIC DEFENDING
Lampard's pass to Lennon is slightly heavy as England break in numbers, but the winger still manages to find a return ball, only for Onyewu to dive in and prevent the shot.
81' SLOPPY PASSING
Gerrard and then Lampard both play the ball out on the full when attempting what should have been straightforward passes. That is symptomatic of what has been a mediocre game from both teams, although clearly one side will be far happier with the score-line as it stands.
79' CHANGE FOR ENGLAND
Heskey - who has been superb in his role in England's link-up play this evening - makes way for the more obvious goal threat of Crouch.
78' OVER THE BAR!
Gerrard bends over a great cross, but Heskey is just put under enough pressure in the area and fizzes his header over the bar.
78' OVER THE BAR!
Gerrard bends over a great cross, but Heskey is just put under enough pressure in the area and fizzes his header over the bar.
77' ROONEY AT IT AGAIN!
The England striker sees a first dinked effort blocked and immediately fires in a second, forcing Howard into another save.
76' GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Rooney puts Wright-Phillips in down the left, but the winger's shot lacks conviction and is beaten away by Howard.
75' TOOK SOME PAINT WITH IT
Rooney fizzes in a brilliant shot that has Howard in all sorts of trouble. The ball beats the keeper but just skims off the outside of the post as it swerves agonisingly wide.
74' A BOOKING FOR FINDLEY
The striker brings down Gerrard and picks up a fully deserved yellow card.
71' SO CLOSE FOR ROONEY
Lennon lays the ball back for Gerrard to cross, and the skipper almost picks out Rooney. However, the cross was ever so slightly over-hit and the England star man could only get a glance on the ball, sending his header wide of the post.
70' ENGLAND ARE PUSHING
Lampard has been at the forefront of the game over the last five minutes as England push for the lead.
68' POOR EFFORT
Lampard lines up a free-kick from distance, but gets underneath it and the ball rises high over the bar and into the stands.
66' EXPOSED FOR PACE
The States have done little in the final third, but Altidore was superb there, and called into question the wisdom of putting Carragher alongside the equally average-paced Terry at the heart of the England defence.
64' OFF THE POST
Green redeems himself with a stunning save to push Altidore's shot onto the woodwork after the American centre-forward left Carragher for dead.
63' STINGS THE PALMS
Lampard creates space for himself and tests Howard with an effort from distance. The ball was dipping and the keeper did well to palm it over the bar.
62' RELIEF FOR GREEN
Donovan whips in a low free-kick, but the ball flicks off a fellow USA attacker and goes wide. It's hard to imagine how nervous the goalkeeper must be right now.
61' ANOTHER BOOKING
This time it's another Liverpool player who picks up a yellow. Gerrard is penalised for a high foot and goes into the referee's book for his vocal complaints to the official. Needless from the England skipper.
59' YELLOW CARD
Carragher clatters into Findley and picks up a booking. Replays show that the defender got nowhere near the ball and could even have seen red. No wonder the striker stayed down for a while.
57' FIGHT FOR CONTROL
England have sparkled since the break and the States have spent the last few minutes just trying to keep hold of the ball and take the sting out of their opponents push for a second goal.
54' THE FLAG IS UP
A long raking pass finds Heskey, who brings the ball down in space between the two centre-backs... but the linesman's flag is up. Replays suggest that the front-man was in fact onside, but he would have had a lot of work to do to create a decent chance from there in any case.
52' WHAT A WASTE!!!
A lovely through-ball by Lennon puts Heskey clean through on the keeper, but his shot is straight into the arms of a relieved Howard. That should have been a second for England.
51' THE FLAG IS UP
Heskey creates space for Rooney to burst clear. He flicks the ball over Howard, but sees his effort cleared off the line... and it wouldn't have counted in any case as the Emile was offside.
48' SEARING PACE
Lennon fizzes past his full-back, pulls the ball back and just fails to pick out a fellow white shirt. That could have gone anywhere and is extremely encouraging for England. Lennon's pace really is frightening!
47' YELLOW CARD
A cynical handball by DeMerit halts an England counter-attack and the USA man picks up a deserved booking.
46' SECOND HALF
USA get the ball rolling again. England have made a change at the break, bringing on Carragher for King. The latter did little wrong in the first half and presumably that is due to worries over his knee injury.
45' HALF TIME
The whistle goes to bring an end to a half that has been high on passion but short on quality. Gerrard's early goal got England off to a terrific start, but Green's mistake from Dempsey's speculative shot means that it's 1-1 at the break.
45' HONOURS EVEN
After that lightning start from England, it's hard to pick out a player in white who has excelled themselves in this half. With the exception of the impressive Donovan, the same is true of the USA. Neither side can really claim to deserve to be ahead, and 1-1 at the break is probably a fair reflection of the game as a whole.
44' PACE ON THE RIGHT
Lennon and Johnson team up again down the right and earn England a corner with another dangerous attacking move on that flank.
41' MORE ON THAT GOAL
Dempsey was only trying his luck with a shot from distance and it should have been a comfortable stop for Green. However, the ball squirmed out of his grasp and into the back of the net, somewhat reminiscent of Carson's shocker against Croatia. That is a nightmare for the keeper and if he keeps his place in the team for the rest of England's tournament then he can expect a peppering from all angles.
40' GOOOAAALLL!!!
It's an equaliser for the USA through Dempsey... and an absolute howler by Green in the England goal.
39' DECENT EFFORT BY DONOVAN
The star of the half for the USA so far, Donovan has switched flanks to try and exploit the weaknesses of Johnson at right-back. Receiving the ball out wide, he shifts the ball inside and hammers a shot just wide of Green's near post.
37' WIDE OF THE POST
England are finding space by switching play at speed, and do so again through Rooney, this time creating time for Wright-Phillips to have a pop. The diminutive winger has a go, but it swerves wide of the far post.
35' ENGLAND UP THEIR GAME
The Three Lions have gone up a gear since that change, fizzing the ball around nicely and causing problems down the USA right through Wright-Phillips. Cole cuts back a ball in the direction of Rooney, but a defender gets a toe to it to snuff out the threat.
33' OPTIMISTIC EFFORT
Altidore has a pop from distance, but fails to trouble Green. That would have been some goal if it had gone in, but you can't blame the striker for testing the under-pressure England man, particularly with this controversial ball known to swerve late.
31' CHANGE FOR ENGLAND
Capello has seen enough of Milner's nervy first ever World Cup performance on the left of midfield and has pulled him off before the Villa man gets sent off. Wright-Phillips comes on.
30' HOWARD'S DOWN
Howard was damaged in that challenge with Heskey and is still down getting treatment. Worrying times for the USA, although they have strong back-up options on the bench.
29' LOVELY MOVE FROM ENGLAND
Johnson is sent clear down the right and curls in a delightful cross that almost picks out Heskey. Howard dives in and pushes the ball away, which almost presents Rooney with a chance.
27' OVER THE BAR
Another Beckham-esque free-kick by Donovan finds Onyewu, but he can't keep his headed effort down under a great deal of pressure in the box.
26' YELLOW CARD
Milner hacks down Cherundolo again and picks himself up a booking. The midfielder can have no complaints about that - it was a poor challenge and not his first of the game.
24' VERY TIGHT GAME
Compared to the four games gone before this one, these two teams are playing at a very high tempo. Space is at a premium and so far that is not helping make it a decent spectacle.
23' BACK HELPING OUT
Lennon follows up with some decent defensive work, covering for Johnson by cutting out a dangerous cross-field ball and running himself out of trouble. Nicely done.
20' LENNON IN BEHIND
England's right winger bursts into space on the edge of the box. He opts to cross rather than shoot, but a last-ditch sliding tackle nicks the ball away from the feet of the on-rushing Rooney. Lampard follows up with an overhead kick, which Howard comfortably saves.
19' COULD HAVE BEEN 1-1
Donovan picks out Altidore with a pin-point floated cross, but the big front man can't get his head to it under pressure from King and the chance goes begging. He really should have at least tested Green with that chance.
17' ALL-ACTION START
It has been a hectic and messy opening to this game, with both teams so quick to pressurise those in possession that neither have really managed to put together a string of passes or launch anything close to a fluent passing move... with one notable exception. As the players tire there should be more space for this game to open up.
15' LACK OF AMBITION
Bocanegra pumps the ball long, but didn't look up. If he had he would have seen that none of his team-mates were in the England half and he would have been better to keep hold of possession. That was poor from the defender and handed the initiative straight back to England.
14' ANOTHER CORNER
Steven Gerrard puts the ball behind for another corner. This time USA take it short, and England were lucky to escape as they were slow to react to the man in space on the edge of the box.
13' OVER THE BAR
Onyewu wins a header from Donovan's corner, but it deflects off an England man and over the bar.
10' COMFORTABLE STOP
Dempsey diverts a header on target, but it's a comfortable early save for Green. Donovan is having a bit of luck down the right, finding space between Milner and Cole on that flank, and was the man who opened up the England defence there.
8' STATE OF SHOCK
The USA are visibly rattled after that early England goal. The side in white are quicker to every ball and look far more composed in possession in the early stages of this game.
7' POOR CHALLENGE
An over-zealous challenge by Milner brings down Cherundolo and the England midfielder is fortunate to escape a booking.
5' MORE ON THAT GOAL
Heskey played the ball off to a rampaging Gerrard who cut inside his man and dinked the ball past Howard. Great play from the England centre-forward and a composed finish from the captain.
4' GOOOAAALLL!!!
Gerrard opens the scoring for England!
3' HIGH TEMPO START
The States have seen most of the ball in the early stages, but England haven't given them a chance to settle, pressing to the man.
1' KICK-OFF
England get the campaign of these two countries underway.
0' SOMETHING'S MISSING...
The vuvuzela orchestra is nowhere to be heard. Clearly the fans of these two countries have been slow to embrace the sound of the tournament.
0' THE ANTHEMS
The teams are out and a ground seemingly packed to the rafters with England supporters belts out God Save the Queen. Thought there were only supposed to be 6,000 England fans in the stadium? The USA support is smaller in number and despite their best efforts they stand little chance of being heard this evening.
0' USA TEAM NEWS
The USA name an attacking line-up, with Donovan and Dempsey starting on the flanks of a four-man midfield. The intimidating Altidore and Findley start in a physical strike-force that will not give Terry and King an easy ride.
0' ENGLAND TEAM NEWS
The England team is in, and there are a few surprises. He back-four is as expected, with King partnering Terry in the centre in-front of Green in goal. James Milner starts on the left with Lampard and Gerrard paired in the middle, while Heskey starts up-front with Rooney. This is the first time these 11 players have started together for England.
0' THE ATMOSPHERE IS BUILDING
We're just an hour and a half away from the most eagerly anticipated game of the first round of matches at this World Cup. The atmosphere has been growing around Rustenburg all day, and we'll have team news as soon as it's announced. Stay tuned...
0' PREDICTION
The USA won't hold back and could surprise England early on, but the Three Lions are the better team and their quality should shine through come full-time.
0' WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Both teams will be confident of beating Slovenia and Algeria and progressing to the last 16, but defeat here could leave them sweating in those games. However, this one's more than just about progress to the knock-out stages, it's about bragging rights between these two transatlantic 'friends'.
0' ONES TO WATCH
He may not have set the Premier League alight, but Jozy Altidore has the pace and power to cause real problems for the England defence and create space for others. With Theo Walcott left out of the squad, it is clear that Aaron Lennon is manager Fabio Capello's pick on the right wing, and the flying Spurs midfielder could have a huge impact on the tournament if England go far.
0' STAR MEN
Wayne Rooney is England's main man and key to the country's hopes of going all the way. For the States' Clint Dempsey is capable of producing moments of brilliance and will not be unfamiliar to the English fans after his success at Fulham.
0' HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Both teams reached the finals with ease. The USA have become used to cruising through CONCACAF qualification, but for England their stroll through a reasonably tough group came as a welcome change.
0' REFEREE
One of the most controversial referees at the tournament, Brazil's Carlos Simon drew criticism for his performances at the 2006 World Cup and was suspended as a domestic referee last year. Not one to shy away from the limelight, let's keep our fingers crossed that he doesn't become the leading story of what should be a fascinating game without the referee providing anything unduly dramatic.
0' THE VENUE
One of the smaller stadiums used in the tournament, the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg will host five group games and one of the last-16 ties. One of the northerly grounds used in this World Cup, it is also one of the venues at altitude, something that may impact on the game itself.
0' EARLY TEAM NEWS
With Rio Ferdinand out injured it is Ledley King who is expected to slot into the back-line alongside John Terry. Garethy Barry is expected to miss out, so it is likely to be a choice between Michael Carrick and Joe Cole for the fourth midfield slot, with Emile Heskey likely to start up-front with Wayne Rooney.
0' PREVIEW
One of the most highly anticipated games of the group stages, England v USA could be key to the make-up of Group C. The States would be overjoyed to get one over on England after beating them in the only other competitive meeting between the two, back in the 1950 World Cup, but will have their work cut out stopping one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament.
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
Teams
England
(4-4-2)
Robert Green12
Glen Johnson2
John Terry6
46' Ledley King20
Ashley Cole3
Aaron Lennon7
Frank Lampard8
61' 4' Steven Gerrard4
26' 31' James Milner16
Wayne Rooney10
79' Emile Heskey21
Substitutes
David James1
Joe Hart23
59' 46' Jamie Carragher18
Stephen Warnock13
Michael Dawson5
Matthew Upson15
31' Shaun Wright-Phillips17
Joe Cole11
Michael Carrick22
Gareth Barry14
79' Peter Crouch9
Jermain Defoe19
United States
(4-4-2)
1Tim Howard
6Steven Cherundolo 39'
15Jay DeMerit 47'
5Oguchi Onyewu
3Carlos Bocanegra
8Clint Dempsey 40' 
4Michael Bradley
13Ricardo Clark
10Landon Donovan
17Jozy Altidore 86'
20Robbie Findley 74' 77'
Substitutes
23Marcus Hahnemann
18Brad Guzan
21Clarence Goodson
12Jonathan Bornstein
2Jonathan Spector
11Stuart Holden 86'
7DaMarcus Beasley
22Benny Feilhaber
16Francisco Torres
19Maurice Edu
14Edson Buddle 77'
9Herculez Gomez
Team Stats
England United States
1 Goals 1
1 Assists 0
18 Shots 13
8 Shots on Goal 4
3 Saves 6
0 Penalties Scored 0
0 Penalty Kicks 0
22 Crosses 17
8 Corner Kicks 4
5 Offsides 2
12 Fouls Committed 14
3 Cautions/Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
England
No. Player G YC RC GA Svs
12R. Green - 0 0 1 3
2G. Johnson 0 0 0 - -
3A. Cole 0 0 0 - -
4S. Gerrard 1 1 0 - -
6J. Terry 0 0 0 - -
7A. Lennon 0 0 0 - -
8F. Lampard 0 0 0 - -
10W. Rooney 0 0 0 - -
16J. Milner 0 1 0 - -
20L. King 0 0 0 - -
21E. Heskey 0 0 0 - -
Substitutes
9P. Crouch 0 0 0 - -
17S. Wright-Phillips 0 0 0 - -
18J. Carragher 0 1 0 - -

United States
No. Player G YC RC GA Svs
1T. Howard - 0 0 1 6
3C. Bocanegra 0 0 0 - -
4M. Bradley 0 0 0 - -
5O. Onyewu 0 0 0 - -
6S. Cherundolo 0 1 0 - -
8C. Dempsey 1 0 0 - -
10L. Donovan 0 0 0 - -
13R. Clark 0 0 0 - -
15J. DeMerit 0 1 0 - -
17J. Altidore 0 0 0 - -
20R. Findley 0 1 0 - -
Substitutes
11S. Holden 0 0 0 - -
14E. Buddle 0 0 0 - -
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart

Players
No.Number
GGoals
AstAssists
SHTSShots
SOGShots on Goal
CKCorner Kicks
CRCrosses
OffOffsides
FCFouls Committed
FSFouls Suffered
YCYellow Cards
RCRed Cards
GAGoals Against
SvsSaves
w3 © 2013 by STATS LLC.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.

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