The United States came from nowhere to grab a place in the Confederations Cup semi-finals after a stunning 3-0 win over Egypt here on Sunday.
Bob Bradley’s side went into the game as rank outsiders to qualify behind world champions Italy and Egypt but goals from Charlie Davies, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey saw them edge out the Azzurri on goals scored to finish as Group B runners-up behind Brazil.
Their reward is a semi-final date with Spain in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
The US went into this match demoralised after successive defeats to Brazil (3-0) and Italy (3-1) at this World Cup warm-up.
But Bradley’s boys made a mockery of the formbook on Sunday.
Egypt were without Mohamed Zidan, sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up in the 1-0 win over Italy while Bradley replaced Everton keeper Tim Howard with his Premier League colleague Brad Guzan, the Aston Villa stopper making his Confed Cup debut.
Also dropped were Rangers’ midfielder Marcus DaBeasley, with Ricardo Clark, suspended for the Italy game, back in the side.
Forward Davies came on for Sacha Kljestan, who picked up the States’ second successive red card against Italy.
The US grabbed the lead in the 21st minute.
A Jonathan Bornstein throw-in from the left, with Jozy Altidore spurring it on its way, caused havoc in the box as Essam El Hadary scrambled around trying to get his hands on the ball only for Davies to pounce and slot home by the near post.
El Hadary required medical attention after getting inadvertently kicked in the mayhem by his colleague Ahmed Fathi, the Egyptian skipper sporting a big white bandage round his head for the rest of the game.
The US could have doubled their advantage shortly after only for El Hadary’s bravery bringing a goalbound charge by Landon Donovan to an abrupt end.
On 30 minutes Guzan plucked a goalbound chip from Mohamed Aboutrika out of the African air as Egypt pressed to get back on terms, moving the ball fluently through midfield.
As news filtered through from Pretoria that Brazil had raced into a 3-0 lead it left Egypt qualifying on goal difference which they almost improved on 39 minutes when Hosni Abd Rabbou hit the crossbar.
Six minutes into the second half and Hani Said pull off a crucial goalmouth save when Altidore’s shot escaped El Hadary with the Zamalek defender using his body to extinguish the danger.
Midway through the second half Guzan pulled off a fine diving save to stop Ahmed Abdelghani’s attempt.
The defender limped off injured just after to be replaced by Mohamed Abougrisha.
Aganst the run of play the US doubled their advantage on 63 minutes after Bradley, the coach’s son, toed in a Donovan cross from the left, wrongfooting El Hadary.
That put the CONCACAF Gold Cup winners bang in contention themselves as another goal would see them pip Italy and Egypt on head-to-head.
And sure enough up popped Fulham’s Clint Dempsey to head home Jonathan Spector’s cross in the 71st minute for a famous victory.
