2010 FIFA World Cup Group C

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Group C of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 12 June and ended on 23 June 2010. The group consisted of national association football teams from England, the United States, Algeria and Slovenia. The United States and England progressed to the round of 16 undefeated. The United States won the group, winning one match and drawing two. England had an identical record and goal difference but the United States finished top having scored more goals than England. Slovenia finished the group third having won a game, with Algeria finishing fourth with a single point.

Only England and the United States had previously met at a World Cup in 1950, when the United States defeated England 1–0.

Teams

The teams were decided by World Cup draw that took place on 4 December 2009.[1] 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.[2]

The first team drawn was England, which secured qualification as a pot one team by winning Group 6 of UEFA qualification.[3] The United States finished top of the CONCACAF fourth round group.[4] 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.[5] The play-off tie was played in Khartoum after the two sides finished level with each other in Group C.[5] 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.[6] There were also violent demonstrations in Cairo near the Algerian embassy.[6] The final team was Slovenia who finished second in Group 3 of UEFA qualification, two points behind Slovakia.[3] In the subsequent play-offs, Slovenia defeated Russia in a two-legged tie to qualify for the finals.[3][7]

England were considered favourites to win Group C.[8][9] 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."[10] 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."[11]

FIFA World Cup Group C draw[12]
Draw position Team Pot Confederation Method of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Finals
appearance
Last
appearance
Previous best
performance
FIFA Rankings[13]
October 2009[nb 1] May 2010
B1  England 1 UEFA UEFA Group 6 winners 9 September 2009 13th 2006 Winners (1966)[14] 7 8
B2  United States 2 CONCACAF CONCACAF fourth round winners 10 October 2009 9th 2006 Third place (1930)[14] 11 14
B3  Algeria 3 CAF CAF third round Group C winners 18 November 2009 3rd 1986 Group stage (1982, 1986)[14] 29 30
B4  Slovenia 4 UEFA UEFA play-off winners 18 November 2009 2nd 2002 Group stage (2002)[14] 49 25

Notes

  1. ^ The rankings of October 2009 were used for seeding for the final draw.

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  United States 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 5 Advance to knockout stage
2  England 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 5
3  Slovenia 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
4  Algeria 3 0 1 2 0 2 −2 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

Matches

Matches took place between 12 June and 23 June 2010.[15] All times listed are local, UTC+2.[15]

England vs United States

The opening match of group C was contested between England and the United States.[16] The two sides had previously played each other nine times with England winning on seven occasions and the United States on two.[17] The teams had previously played each other once in the FIFA World Cup in 1950.[17] The USA won 1–0 in one of the biggest World Cup shock results of all time.[18][19]

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.[16] However, the Three Lions failed to build on their lead, with the U.S. having plenty of possession in the first half.[16] 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.[16] Early in the second half, Heskey was played through on goal but could only shoot straight at Tim Howard.[16] 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.[16] Post-match, the U.S.' manager Bob Bradley was full of praise for his team's performance.[20]

England 1–1 United States
  • Gerrard 4'
Report
England[22]
United States[22]
GK 12 Robert Green
RB 2 Glen Johnson
CB 6 John Terry
CB 20 Ledley King downward-facing red arrow 46'
LB 3 Ashley Cole
RM 7 Aaron Lennon
CM 8 Frank Lampard
CM 4 Steven Gerrard (c) Yellow card 61'
LM 16 James Milner Yellow card 26' downward-facing red arrow 31'
SS 10 Wayne Rooney
CF 21 Emile Heskey downward-facing red arrow 79'
Substitutions:
MF 17 Shaun Wright-Phillips upward-facing green arrow 31'
DF 18 Jamie Carragher Yellow card 60' upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 9 Peter Crouch upward-facing green arrow 79'
Manager:
Italy Fabio Capello
GK 1 Tim Howard
RB 6 Steve Cherundolo Yellow card 39'
CB 15 Jay DeMerit Yellow card 47'
CB 5 Oguchi Onyewu
LB 3 Carlos Bocanegra (c)
RM 8 Clint Dempsey
CM 4 Michael Bradley
CM 13 Ricardo Clark
LM 10 Landon Donovan
CF 17 Jozy Altidore downward-facing red arrow 86'
CF 20 Robbie Findley Yellow card 74' downward-facing red arrow 77'
Substitutions:
FW 14 Edson Buddle upward-facing green arrow 77'
MF 11 Stuart Holden upward-facing green arrow 86'
Manager:
Bob Bradley

Man of the Match:
Tim Howard (United States)

Assistant referees:
Altemir Hausmann (Brazil)[21]
Roberto Braatz (Brazil)[21]
Fourth official:
Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)[21]
Fifth official:
Evarist Menkouande (Cameroon)[21]

Algeria vs Slovenia

The following day, Algeria met Slovenia in Polokwane.[23] There were few chances created throughout the first half.[23] However, in the 72nd minute, Algeria's substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal was dismissed for the accumulation of two yellow cards, the second being a handball.[23] Seven minutes later, Slovenia's talisman Robert Koren scored the winning goal from 20 yards.[23]

Algeria 0–1 Slovenia
Report
Algeria[25]
Slovenia[25]
GK 16 Faouzi Chaouchi
RB 4 Antar Yahia (c)
CB 2 Madjid Bougherra
CB 5 Rafik Halliche
LB 3 Nadir Belhadj
RM 8 Mehdi Lacen
CM 15 Karim Ziani
LM 19 Hassan Yebda Yellow card 90+5'
RW 21 Foued Kadir downward-facing red arrow 82'
LW 13 Karim Matmour downward-facing red arrow 81'
CF 11 Rafik Djebbour downward-facing red arrow 58'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Abdelkader Ghezzal Yellow card 59' Yellow-red card 73' upward-facing green arrow 58'
FW 10 Rafik Saïfi upward-facing green arrow 81'
MF 17 Adlène Guedioura upward-facing green arrow 82'
Manager:
Rabah Saâdane
GK 1 Samir Handanović
RB 2 Mišo Brečko
CB 4 Marko Šuler
CB 5 Boštjan Cesar
LB 13 Bojan Jokić
RM 17 Andraž Kirm
CM 8 Robert Koren (c)
CM 18 Aleksandar Radosavljević Yellow card 35' downward-facing red arrow 87'
LM 10 Valter Birsa downward-facing red arrow 84'
SS 14 Zlatko Dedić downward-facing red arrow 53'
CF 11 Milivoje Novaković
Substitutions:
FW 9 Zlatan Ljubijankić upward-facing green arrow 53'
FW 7 Nejc Pečnik upward-facing green arrow 84'
MF 20 Andrej Komac Yellow card 90+3' upward-facing green arrow 87'
Manager:
Matjaž Kek

Man of the Match:
Robert Koren (Slovenia)

Assistant referees:
Leonel Leal (Costa Rica)[24]
Carlos Pastrana (Honduras)[24]
Fourth official:
Peter O'Leary (New Zealand)[21]
Fifth official:
Brent Best (New Zealand)[21]

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.[26] 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.[26] After a dominant start from the Slovenians, the United States began to create some chances to equalise.[26] 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.[26] In response, the U.S.' manager made a double substitution at half time.[26] 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.[26] 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.[26] The United States had looked as if they had won the match after a Donovan free-kick was turned in by Maurice Edu.[26] However, the referee controversially disallowed the goal.[26] Post-match, Bob Bradley said that he had no doubt that the referee had got the decision wrong.[27]

Slovenia 2–2 United States
Report
Slovenia[29]
United States[29]
GK 1 Samir Handanović
RB 2 Mišo Brečko
CB 4 Marko Šuler Yellow card 69'
CB 5 Boštjan Cesar Yellow card 35'
LB 13 Bojan Jokić Yellow card 75'
CM 8 Robert Koren (c)
CM 18 Aleksandar Radosavljević
RW 10 Valter Birsa downward-facing red arrow 87'
LW 17 Andraž Kirm Yellow card 72'
CF 9 Zlatan Ljubijankić downward-facing red arrow 74'
CF 11 Milivoje Novaković
Substitutions:
FW 7 Nejc Pečnik upward-facing green arrow 74' downward-facing red arrow 90+4'
FW 14 Zlatko Dedić upward-facing green arrow 87'
MF 20 Andrej Komac upward-facing green arrow 90+4'
Manager:
Matjaž Kek
GK 1 Tim Howard
RB 6 Steve Cherundolo
CB 15 Jay DeMerit
CB 5 Oguchi Onyewu downward-facing red arrow 80'
LB 3 Carlos Bocanegra (c)
RM 10 Landon Donovan
CM 16 José Francisco Torres downward-facing red arrow 46'
CM 4 Michael Bradley
LM 8 Clint Dempsey
CF 17 Jozy Altidore
CF 20 Robbie Findley Yellow card 40' downward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
MF 22 Benny Feilhaber upward-facing green arrow 46'
MF 19 Maurice Edu upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 9 Herculez Gomez upward-facing green arrow 80'
Manager:
Bob Bradley
The Slovenia and United States teams line up for the national anthems before the game

Man of the Match:
Landon Donovan (United States)

Assistant referees:
Redouane Achik (Morocco)[28]
Inácio Cândido (Angola)[28]
Fourth official:
Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)[28]
Fifth official:
Jeffrey Goh Gek Pheng (Singapore)[28]

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.[30] Algeria also opted to change their goalkeeper with Raïs M'Bolhi replacing Faouzi Chaouchi.[30]

The match finished goalless after few chances were created by either side and with Algeria often seeming more comfortable in possession.[30][31] 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.[31][32] Writing for Sky Sports, James Dall described England's performance as unimaginative and nervy.[30]

England 0–0 Algeria
Report
England[33]
Algeria[33]
GK 1 David James
RB 2 Glen Johnson
CB 18 Jamie Carragher Yellow card 58'
CB 6 John Terry
LB 3 Ashley Cole
RM 7 Aaron Lennon downward-facing red arrow 63'
CM 14 Gareth Barry downward-facing red arrow 84'
CM 8 Frank Lampard
LM 4 Steven Gerrard (c)
SS 10 Wayne Rooney
CF 21 Emile Heskey downward-facing red arrow 74'
Substitutions:
MF 17 Shaun Wright-Phillips upward-facing green arrow 63'
FW 19 Jermain Defoe upward-facing green arrow 74'
FW 9 Peter Crouch upward-facing green arrow 84'
Manager:
Italy Fabio Capello
GK 23 Raïs M'Bolhi
CB 2 Madjid Bougherra
CB 5 Rafik Halliche
CB 4 Antar Yahia (c)
RM 21 Foued Kadir
CM 19 Hassan Yebda downward-facing red arrow 88'
CM 8 Mehdi Lacen Yellow card 85'
LM 3 Nadir Belhadj
AM 7 Ryad Boudebouz downward-facing red arrow 74'
AM 15 Karim Ziani downward-facing red arrow 81'
CF 13 Karim Matmour
Substitutions:
MF 22 Djamel Abdoun upward-facing green arrow 74'
MF 17 Adlène Guedioura upward-facing green arrow 81'
DF 20 Djamel Mesbah upward-facing green arrow 88'
Manager:
Rabah Saâdane
England vs Algeria

Man of the Match:
Ashley Cole (England)

Assistant referees:
Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan)[28]
Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan)[28]
Fourth official:
Michael Hester (New Zealand)[28]
Fifth official:
Jan Hendrik Hintz (New Zealand)[28]

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.

Slovenia 0–1 England
Report
Slovenia[34]
England[34]
GK 1 Samir Handanović
RB 2 Mišo Brečko
CB 4 Marko Šuler
CB 5 Boštjan Cesar
LB 13 Bojan Jokić Yellow card 40'
CM 8 Robert Koren (c)
CM 18 Aleksandar Radosavljević
RW 10 Valter Birsa Yellow card 79'
LW 17 Andraž Kirm downward-facing red arrow 79'
CF 9 Zlatan Ljubijankić downward-facing red arrow 62'
CF 11 Milivoje Novaković
Substitutions:
FW 14 Zlatko Dedić Yellow card 81' upward-facing green arrow 62'
FW 23 Tim Matavž upward-facing green arrow 79'
Manager:
Matjaž Kek
GK 1 David James
RB 2 Glen Johnson Yellow card 48'
CB 15 Matthew Upson
CB 6 John Terry
LB 3 Ashley Cole
RM 4 Steven Gerrard (c)
CM 8 Frank Lampard
CM 14 Gareth Barry
LM 16 James Milner
SS 19 Jermain Defoe downward-facing red arrow 86'
CF 10 Wayne Rooney downward-facing red arrow 72'
Substitutions:
MF 11 Joe Cole upward-facing green arrow 72'
FW 21 Emile Heskey upward-facing green arrow 86'
Manager:
Italy Fabio Capello

Man of the Match:
James Milner (England)

Assistant referees:
Jan-Hendrik Salver (Germany)
Mike Pickel (Germany)
Fourth official:
Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)
Fifth official:
William Torres (El Salvador)

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.

United States 1–0 Algeria
Report
United States[35]
Algeria[35]
GK 1 Tim Howard
RB 12 Jonathan Bornstein downward-facing red arrow 80'
CB 15 Jay DeMerit
CB 3 Carlos Bocanegra (c)
LB 6 Steve Cherundolo
CM 4 Michael Bradley
CM 19 Maurice Edu downward-facing red arrow 64'
RW 8 Clint Dempsey
LW 10 Landon Donovan
SS 17 Jozy Altidore Yellow card 62'
CF 9 Herculez Gomez downward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
MF 22 Benny Feilhaber upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 14 Edson Buddle upward-facing green arrow 64'
MF 7 DaMarcus Beasley Yellow card 90' upward-facing green arrow 80'
Manager:
Bob Bradley
GK 23 Raïs M'Bolhi
CB 2 Madjid Bougherra
CB 5 Rafik Halliche
CB 4 Antar Yahia (c) Yellow card 76' Yellow-red card 90+3'
RM 21 Foued Kadir
CM 19 Hassan Yebda Yellow card 12'
CM 8 Mehdi Lacen Yellow card 83'
LM 3 Nadir Belhadj
AM 13 Karim Matmour downward-facing red arrow 84'
AM 15 Karim Ziani downward-facing red arrow 69'
CF 11 Rafik Djebbour downward-facing red arrow 65'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Abdelkader Ghezzal upward-facing green arrow 65'
MF 17 Adlène Guedioura upward-facing green arrow 69'
FW 10 Rafik Saïfi upward-facing green arrow 84'
Manager:
Rabah Saâdane

Man of the Match:
Landon Donovan (United States)

Assistant referees:
Peter Hermans (Belgium)
Walter Vromans (Belgium)
Fourth official:
Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)
Fifth official:
Mu Yuxin (China)

See also

References

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  2. ^ "World Cup 2010 draw: the details". The Guardian. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "World Cup 2010 Qualifying#UEFA". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  4. ^ "World Cup 2010 qualifying#North and Central America". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Yahia sends Algeria to World Cup". BBC Sport. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Egypt-Algeria World Cup anger turns violent in Cairo". BBC News. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  7. ^ Gregg Roughley (18 November 2009). "Dedic squeezes Slovenia through as nine-man Russia implode". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  8. ^ Richard Williams (4 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: England's eyes fixed on the greatest prize". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  9. ^ "2010 World Cup Group C Preview: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia". Bleacher Report. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  10. ^ Kevin McCarra (5 June 2010). "England: World Cup 2010 team guide". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  11. ^ "World Cup 2010: A guide to favourites, nearly men and party spoilers". The Guardian. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  12. ^ "World Cup 2010 draw: the details". The Guardian. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Men's Ranking". FIFA. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d "Guide to the teams at South Africa 2010". BBC Sport. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Match Schedule 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa" (PDF). FIFA.com (Press release). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Phil McNulty (12 June 2010). "England 1–1 USA". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  17. ^ a b "England national football team: record v USA". 11v11. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  18. ^ "World Cup: England 1950 defeat by USA is 'biggest shock'". BBC Sport. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  19. ^ Jeff Carlisle (27 May 2014). "Remembering the USA's 1–0 upset of England in 1950". ESPN. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  20. ^ "World Cup 2010: US coach thrilled to hold England". BBC Sport. 13 June 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g "Referee designations for matches 1-16" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 5 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  22. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group C – England-United States" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 September 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  23. ^ a b c d Phil Dawkes (13 June 2010). "Algeria 0–1 Slovenia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  24. ^ a b c "Algeria-Slovenia gets substitute ref". ESPNsoccernet.com. Associated Press. 8 June 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  25. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group C – Algeria-Slovenia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 13 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i David Ornstein (18 June 2010). "Slovenia 2–2 USA". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Bradley: Referee got it wrong". FourFourTwo. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Referee designations for matches 17-24" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  29. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group C – Slovenia-United States" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  30. ^ a b c d James Dall (19 June 2010). "England 0–0 Algeria: Match report & highlights". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  31. ^ a b Phil McNulty. "England 0–0 Algeria". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  32. ^ "World Cup 2010: Wayne Rooney apologises to England fans". BBC Sport. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group C – England-Algeria" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  34. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group C – Slovenia-England" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  35. ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group C – USA-Algeria" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.