Jozy Altidore of USA takes a shot on goal against Carles Puyol (AFP Photo / John Silver)
US shock Spain in Confed Cup
Published 25 June, 2009, 08:03
At the Confederations Cup, European champs Spain have missed out on the record for the longest unbeaten run in international football, with their 35-match run coming to an end with a 2-0 loss to the US.
Spain were firm favourites to beat the Americans and claim a new world record in the process.
Instead, they fell behind 27 minutes in to a goal from Jozy Altidore. The forward tricked Capdevilla, who is his teammate in the Spanish league side Villarreal, and shot straight into Iker Casillas. The Spanish keeper failed to cope with the shot as the ball ricocheted off the post and went into the net.
Spain applied constant pressure in search of an equalizer in the second half, but when the next goal came it was courtesy of the Americans.
A quick break ended with Clint Dempsey making it 2-0, thanks to some sloppy defending from Sergio Ramos, who lost concentration and failed to clear the ball.
The US had Michael Bradley sent-off late on, but they hung on for a memorable win.
And so it is the US who go through to the final, where they'll meet the winner of Thursday's semi-final between hosts South Africa and Brazil.
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