North American champions the United States on Wednesday achieved a stunning success of defeating the world's No.1 European champions Spain 2-0, marching into the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup, their first-ever world final.
It was also the first victory of the Stars and Stripes over Spain in the country's soccer history.
Among their three previous meetings, the most important one was in June 1950 when the FIFA World Cup was hosted by Brazil. La Roja beat the Americans in the group phase and finished the fourth in the tournament.
Players of the United States celebrate after winning the semifinal match against Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, June 24, 2009. The United States won 2-0 and advanced to the final.
Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque fielded his strongest line-up once more in the semi-final of the intercontinental tournament. Iker Casillas returned in goal while Xabi Alonso and Xavi reclaimed the leading position of the central-midfield.
Players of the United States celebrate after winning the semifinal match against Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, June 24, 2009. The United States won 2-0 and advanced to the final.
La Roja proved its illustrious position since the beginning of the match and took control of the possession of ball. Both Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and David Villa went close to opening the scoring. The Americans however showed more determination in the match. In the 26th minute, Villarreal forward Jozy Altidore received a pass from Fulham midfielder Clint Dampsey on the edge of the box and slided a low shot into the bottom left, igniting the hope of the Stars and Stripes.
Although La Roja intensified their efforts for a goal after the interval, the increasingly cohesive defense of the United States have been highlighted by brilliant saves of goalkeeper Tim Howard who defied the bids of Torres and Villa.
Dempsey of the United States shone again in the 74th minute. When Spanish Real Madrid Sergio Ramos failed to clear the ball to safety before the goal, Dempsey grasped the opportunity to turn on to the ball and fired it into the net in the close range.
It was also Dempsey who secured the finishing touch in the final Group B match against African power Egypt on Sunday. The decisive goal came in the second half as Dempsey scored with a pinpoint downward header from a delivery out on the right wing.
The Americans will face the winner of another group match on Thursday which will be held between South American champions Brazil and hosts South Africa.
A worry of U.S. coach Bob Bradley will be that his son Michael Bradley, also Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder, was harshly shown a red card as the semi-final almost came to the end for sliding in on Barcelona midfielder Xavi.
Junior Bradley did not let down his father in the group match against Egypt. He received the pass from teammate Dempsey who cut the ball back inside and shot it into the far corner of the net in the 63rd minute, the second goal for the Stars and Stripes in the game.
U.S. goalkeeper Howard said after the match that the game has proved that if the American players work hard, they could achieve a great thing. His teammate forward Charlie Davies said he looked forward to do the same in the final.
U.S. coach Bradley had said prior to the semi-final that they have watched Spain during this tournament and been taking note of their style. "We know how to stop them and we are very confident," Bradley was quoted as saying. His words finally proved right in the match.
The identities of the last four in the semi-final have run against the bets of many fans, particularly for the United States.
The Stars and Stripes whipped up a perfect storm in the final match in Group B on Sunday to grab the last berth in the group from the hand of World Cup winner Italy and African champions Egypt. Brazil secured its leading position in the group by three triumphs in all group matches.
Jay DeMerit (R) of the United States vies with David Villa of Spain during the semifinal match at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, June 24, 2009. The United States won 2-0 and advanced to the final