2010 FIFA World Cup Group C

Teams

The teams were decided by World Cup draw that took place on 4 December 2009. The group was set to receive one team from each pot, which sorted all World Cup teams by position on the FIFA World Rankings as of October 2009.

The first team drawn was England, which secured qualification as a pot one team by winning Group 6 of UEFA qualification. The United States finished top of the CONCACAF fourth round group. The pot 3 team was Algeria who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986 thanks to a one-off play-off win against Egypt. The play-off tie was played in Khartoum after the two sides finished level with each other in Group C. Post-match, a diplomatic spat occurred between the two nations with Egypt later threatening to quit international football for two years due to the alleged behaviour of Algerian fans. There were also violent demonstrations in Cairo near the Algerian embassy. The final team was Slovenia who finished second in Group 3 of UEFA qualification, two points behind Slovakia. In the subsequent play-offs, Slovenia defeated Russia in a two-legged tie to qualify for the finals.

England were considered favourites to win Group C. In a pre-tournament preview, The Guardian's Kevin McCarra analysed England's chances ahead of the tournament: "If Wayne Rooney stayed fit, if Steven Gerrard got his form back and if the centre-backs were in rude health, England would present a severe problem to most. Capello needs to refresh a dynamism that has waned. Semi-finalists." The Guardian previewed the US' chances: "The USA have been quietly optimistic about their chances of making a splash in South Africa ever since reaching the Confederations Cup final last year, where they lost to Brazil. They are confident of making it out of what is perceived to be a weak group and believe they can challenge England for first place."

Notes

Standings

• The United States advanced to play Ghana (runners-up of Group D) in the round of 16.
• England advanced to play Germany (winners of Group D) in the round of 16.

Matches

Matches took place between 12 June and 23 June 2010. All times listed are local, UTC+2.

England vs United States

The opening match of group C was contested between England and the United States. The two sides had previously played each other nine times with England winning on seven occasions and the United States on two. The teams had previously played each other once in the FIFA World Cup in 1950. The USA won 1–0 in one of the biggest World Cup shock results of all time.

England took an early lead, Emile Heskey played a through ball to Steven Gerrard who slid the ball under Tim Howard in the 4th minute. However, the Three Lions failed to build on their lead, with the U.S. having plenty of possession in the first half. The United States equalised in the 40th minute when a seemingly harmless pot shot by Clint Dempsey was mishandled by England goalkeeper Robert Green and rolled into the net. Early in the second half, Heskey was played through on goal but could only shoot straight at Tim Howard. After several missed half-chances from England, Jozy Altidore forced a save onto the post from Green, highlighting England's lack of pace in central defence. Post-match, the U.S.' manager Bob Bradley was full of praise for his team's performance.

• Gerrard
• Dempsey

|}

Algeria vs Slovenia

The following day, Algeria met Slovenia in Polokwane. There were few chances created throughout the first half. However, in the 72nd minute, Algeria's substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal was dismissed for the accumulation of two yellow cards, the second being a handball. Seven minutes later, Slovenia's talisman Robert Koren scored the winning goal from 20 yards.

• Koren

|}

Slovenia vs United States

In the second round of matches, Slovenia met the U.S. in Johannesburg. Slovenia went into half time with a 2–0 lead. Valter Birsa opened the scoring for Slovenia in an impressive fashion, collecting the ball from 25 yards out before curling the ball into the left-hand corner. After a dominant start from the Slovenians, the United States began to create some chances to equalise. However, on the counter-attack, Milivoje Novaković played a through ball to Zlatan Ljubijankić who managed to slot the ball under Tim Howard for their second goal. In response, the U.S.' manager made a double substitution at half time. In the opening stages of the second half, the United States halved the deficit via Landon Donovan after Boštjan Cesar had missed the flight of a long ball; Donovan then managed to collect the ball and hit his shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. With eight minutes remaining, a long ball for the U.S. was knocked down by Joze Altidore to the oncoming Michael Bradley who finished past Samir Handanović on the half-volley to equalise the match at 2–2. The United States had looked as if they had won the match after a Donovan free-kick was turned in by Maurice Edu. However, the referee controversially disallowed the goal. Post-match, Bob Bradley said that he had no doubt that the referee had got the decision wrong.

• Birsa
• Ljubijankić
• Donovan
• Bradley

|}

England vs Algeria

Prior to the match, England manager Fabio Capello took the decision to drop goalkeeper Rob Green following his high-profile error against the United States, replacing him with David James. Algeria also opted to change their goalkeeper with Raïs M'Bolhi replacing Faouzi Chaouchi.

The match finished goalless after few chances were created by either side and with Algeria often seeming more comfortable in possession. As England left the pitch, Wayne Rooney was heard on camera saying "Nice to see your own fans booing you." which he later apologised for. Writing for Sky Sports, James Dall described England's performance as unimaginative and nervy.

|}

Slovenia vs England

Jermain Defoe's 23rd-minute goal allowed England to claim the win and progress to the knockout stage of the competition. After the goal, England created several more chances but were unable to add to their lead.

• Defoe

|}

United States vs Algeria

Early in the game, the United States nearly allowed another early goal as an Algerian shot hit the crossbar. Throughout the remainder of the game, the United States had a number of good chances against a solid Algerian defence that allowed just one goal from two games; striker Jozy Altidore volleyed wide of an open net, while Clint Dempsey had a goal disallowed for a controversial offside call and later hit the crossbar on a shot and missed an empty net on the rebound. After 90 minutes of a scoreless affair, the United States were at risk of elimination: with England leading Slovenia 1–0, a 0–0 draw for the United States would have caused them to finish third in Group C on three points (behind England on five and Slovenia on four). However, in stoppage time, American goalkeeper Tim Howard quickly threw an outlet pass to Landon Donovan, who moved the ball up the pitch and passed the ball just outside the box to Altidore, who then crossed the ball to an open Dempsey in the middle of the box. With the Algerian goalkeeper closing in, Dempsey shot quickly and was blocked; however, Donovan followed the shot and put the rebound into the net for an easy goal. The United States held on for the final few minutes for a 1–0 victory. The late goal not only saved the United States from elimination but also allowed them to win their group for the first time since 1930, advancing to play Ghana in the round of 16.

• Donovan

|}

References

References

1. (4 December 2009). "England face USA, Algeria & Slovenia in 2010 World Cup". BBC Sport.
2. (2 December 2009). "World Cup 2010 draw: the details". The Guardian.
3. "World Cup 2010 Qualifying#UEFA". RSSSF.
4. "World Cup 2010 qualifying#North and Central America". RSSSF.
5. (18 November 2009). "Yahia sends Algeria to World Cup". BBC Sport.
6. (20 November 2009). "Egypt-Algeria World Cup anger turns violent in Cairo". BBC News.
7. Gregg Roughley. (18 November 2009). "Dedic squeezes Slovenia through as nine-man Russia implode". The Guardian.
8. Richard Williams. (4 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: England's eyes fixed on the greatest prize". The Guardian.
9. (5 June 2010). "2010 World Cup Group C Preview: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia". Bleacher Report.
10. Kevin McCarra. (5 June 2010). "England: World Cup 2010 team guide". The Guardian.
11. (26 May 2010). "World Cup 2010: A guide to favourites, nearly men and party spoilers". The Guardian.
12. (2 December 2009). "World Cup 2010 draw: the details". The Guardian.
13. "Men's Ranking". [[FIFA]].
14. (5 December 2009). "Guide to the teams at South Africa 2010". BBC Sport.
15. (9 December 2009). "Match Schedule 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
16. Phil McNulty. (12 June 2010). "England 1–1 USA". BBC Sport.
17. "England national football team: record v USA". 11v11.
18. (10 June 2018). "World Cup: England 1950 defeat by USA is 'biggest shock'". BBC Sport.
19. Jeff Carlisle. (27 May 2014). "Remembering the USA's 1–0 upset of England in 1950". ESPN.
20. (13 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: US coach thrilled to hold England". BBC Sport.
21. (5 June 2010). "Referee designations for matches 1-16". [[FIFA.
22. (12 June 2010). "Tactical Line-up – Group C – England-United States". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
23. Phil Dawkes. (13 June 2010). "Algeria 0–1 Slovenia". BBC Sport.
24. (8 June 2010). "Algeria-Slovenia gets substitute ref". ESPNsoccernet.com.
25. (13 June 2010). "Tactical Line-up – Group C – Algeria-Slovenia". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
26. David Ornstein. (18 June 2010). "Slovenia 2–2 USA". BBC Sport.
27. (19 June 2010). "Bradley: Referee got it wrong". FourFourTwo.
28. (14 June 2010). "Referee designations for matches 17-24". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
29. (18 June 2010). "Tactical Line-up – Group C – Slovenia-United States". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
30. James Dall. (19 June 2010). "England 0–0 Algeria: Match report & highlights". Sky Sports.
31. Phil McNulty. "England 0–0 Algeria". BBC Sport.
32. (19 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: Wayne Rooney apologises to England fans". BBC Sport.
33. (18 June 2010). "Tactical Line-up – Group C – England-Algeria". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
34. (23 June 2010). "Tactical Line-up – Group C – Slovenia-England". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
35. (23 June 2010). "Tactical Line-up – Group C – USA-Algeria". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.