On this day, June 26th in 2010 (11 years ago), Ghana became only the 3rd African country to qualify to the quarter-finals of the World Cup after defeating USA 2-1 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa.
The feat previously had only been achieved by Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
Ghana had finished second in their group behind the celebrated Germans, and they were the only African country left in the tournament.
Ghana went up in the sixth minute through Kevin Prince Boateng, the Portsmouth midfielder took advantage of a Ricardo Clark turnover to finish past Tim Howard from 20 yards out to put the Black Stars up, 1-0.
Ghana controlled most parts of the first half, but the Americans also had their chances, Michael Bradley and Robbie Findlay came the closest to scoring for the USA.
The first half ended 1-0 in Ghana’s favor.
A substitution in the second half that saw Robbie Findlay go off for Benny Feilhaber invigorated the USA. They started to pile pressure on Ghana.
The pressure paid off in the 60th minute when Jonathan Mensah brought down Clint Dempsey and handed Landon Donovan a chance from the spot, Donovan slotted the ball past Richard Kingson to score his 3rd of the tournament and make it 1-1 in the game.
USA from then had the game in the bag. They had weathered Ghana’s early storm and were looking the side most likely to score, but the game after 90 minutes ended 1-1 and went to extra time.
In extra time, Ghana’s leading scorer at the World Cup Asamoah stepped up in the 93rd minute to score the goal that sent Ghana through to the quarterfinals.
Asamoah Gyan pounced on a long ball played out of the back from Ghana over the United States defense, he beautifully controlled the ball with his chest, showed strength, dashed into the 18 yard box and finished off the move.
The Americans in the remaining minutes of extra time pushed men forward hoping to grab the equalizing goal, but Gyan’s strike in the 93rd minute was enough to break the hearts of the Americans and send Ghana through to the quarterfinals.
Ghana won 2-1 and became only the 3rd African country to play in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, after Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
Match Details:
Ghana Line-up: Richard Kingson, John Pantsil, Hans Sarpei (Lee Addy), Jonathan Mensah, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom (Sulley Muntari), Kevin Prince Boateng (Stephen Appiah), Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew
Manager: Milovan Rajevac
USA Line-up: Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley, Steve Cherundolo, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Jonathan Bornstein, Ricardo Clark (Maurice Edu), Jay DeMerit, Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley (Benny Feilhaber)
Manager: Bob Bradley
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
Attendance: 34,976
Watch highlights of the game below: