World Cup: Dempsey downs Ghana with early strike to score revenge
GHANA 1 USA 2
FORWARD Clint Dempsey struck the fifth fastest goal in World Cup history as USA finally gained their revenge against Ghana last night in Natal.
Having lost to the Black Stars at the last two World Cups, including the last-16 stage in South Africa, USA made the best possible start when Dempsey struck on 29 seconds. Ghana conceded possession virtually from the kick-off, allowing the former Tottenham and Fulham star to jink past hapless defender John Boye before firing in low across goal.
Ghana played with significantly greater intent in the second half than they had in the first and, desperate to salvage something from the game, levelled on 82 minutes when former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan set up winger Andre Ayew to fire in at the near post.
But Ghana’s lead was short-lived when substitute John Brooks found space at a corner to head in his first ever goal for USA to secure a vital three points.