2010 FIFA World Cup Group C
Introduction 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.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. "+FIFA World Cup Group C draw Draw position Team Pot Confederation Method ofqualification Date ofqualification Finalsappearance Lastappearance Previous bestperformance FIFA Rankings October 2009 May 2010 B1   1  UEFA  UEFA Group 6 winners  9 September 2009  13th  2006  '''Winners''' (1966)  7  8 B2   2  CONCACAF  CONCACAF fourth round winners  10 October 2009  9th  2006  Third place (1930)  11  14 B3   3  CAF  CAF third round Group C winners  18 November 2009  3rd  1986  Group stage (1982, 1986)  29  30 B4   4  UEFA  UEFA play-off winners  18 November 2009  2nd  2002  Group stage (2002)  49  25'''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. GK '''12'''Robert GreenRB '''2''' Glen JohnsonCB '''6''' John TerryCB '''20'''Ledley King   LB '''3''' Ashley ColeRM '''7''' Aaron LennonCM '''8''' Frank LampardCM '''4''' Steven Gerrard (c)  LM '''16'''James Milner    SS '''10'''Wayne RooneyCF '''21'''Emile Heskey  '''Substitutions:'''MF '''17'''Shaun Wright-Phillips   DF '''18'''Jamie Carragher    FW '''9''' Peter Crouch  '''Manager:''' Fabio Capello300px GK '''1''' Tim HowardRB '''6''' Steve Cherundolo  CB '''15'''Jay DeMerit  CB '''5''' Oguchi OnyewuLB '''3''' Carlos Bocanegra (c)RM '''8''' Clint DempseyCM '''4''' Michael BradleyCM '''13'''Ricardo ClarkLM '''10'''Landon DonovanCF '''17'''Jozy Altidore  CF '''20'''Robbie Findley    '''Substitutions:'''FW '''14'''Edson Buddle   MF '''11'''Stuart Holden  '''Manager:'''Bob Bradley'''Man of the Match:'''Tim Howard (United States)'''Assistant referees:'''Altemir Hausmann (Brazil)Roberto Braatz (Brazil)'''Fourth official:'''Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)'''Fifth official:'''Evarist Menkouande (Cameroon)===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. GK '''16'''Faouzi ChaouchiRB '''4''' Antar Yahia (c)CB '''2''' Madjid BougherraCB '''5''' Rafik HallicheLB '''3''' Nadir BelhadjRM '''8''' Mehdi LacenCM '''15'''Karim ZianiLM '''19'''Hassan Yebda  RW '''21'''Foued Kadir   LW '''13'''Karim Matmour   CF '''11'''Rafik Djebbour   '''Substitutions:'''FW '''9''' Abdelkader Ghezzal    FW '''10'''Rafik Saïfi   MF '''17'''Adlène Guedioura   '''Manager:'''Rabah Saâdane300px GK '''1''' Samir HandanovićRB '''2''' Mišo BrečkoCB '''4''' Marko ŠulerCB '''5''' Boštjan CesarLB '''13'''Bojan JokićRM '''17'''Andraž KirmCM '''8''' Robert Koren (c)CM '''18'''Aleksandar Radosavljević    LM '''10'''Valter Birsa   SS '''14'''Zlatko Dedić   CF '''11'''Milivoje Novaković'''Substitutions:'''FW '''9''' Zlatan Ljubijankić   FW '''7''' Nejc Pečnik   MF '''20'''Andrej Komac    '''Manager:'''Matjaž Kek'''Man of the Match:'''Robert Koren (Slovenia)'''Assistant referees:'''Leonel Leal (Costa Rica)Carlos Pastrana (Honduras)'''Fourth official:'''Peter O'Leary (New Zealand)'''Fifth official:'''Brent Best (New Zealand)===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. GK '''1''' Samir HandanovićRB '''2''' Mišo BrečkoCB '''4''' Marko Šuler  CB '''5''' Boštjan Cesar  LB '''13'''Bojan Jokić  CM '''8''' Robert Koren (c)CM '''18'''Aleksandar RadosavljevićRW '''10'''Valter Birsa  LW '''17'''Andraž Kirm  CF '''9''' Zlatan Ljubijankić   CF '''11'''Milivoje Novaković'''Substitutions:'''FW '''7''' Nejc Pečnik     FW '''14'''Zlatko Dedić  MF '''20'''Andrej Komac  '''Manager:'''Matjaž Kek300px GK '''1''' Tim HowardRB '''6''' Steve CherundoloCB '''15'''Jay DeMeritCB '''5''' Oguchi Onyewu   LB '''3''' Carlos Bocanegra (c)RM '''10'''Landon DonovanCM '''16'''José Francisco Torres   CM '''4''' Michael BradleyLM '''8''' Clint DempseyCF '''17'''Jozy AltidoreCF '''20'''Robbie Findley    '''Substitutions:'''MF '''22'''Benny Feilhaber   MF '''19'''Maurice Edu   FW '''9''' Herculez Gomez   '''Manager:'''Bob BradleyThe 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)Inácio Cândido (Angola)'''Fourth official:'''Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)'''Fifth official:'''Jeffrey Goh Gek Pheng (Singapore)===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. GK '''1''' David JamesRB '''2''' Glen JohnsonCB '''18'''Jamie Carragher  CB '''6''' John TerryLB '''3''' Ashley ColeRM '''7''' Aaron Lennon   CM '''14'''Gareth Barry   CM '''8''' Frank LampardLM '''4''' Steven Gerrard (c)SS '''10'''Wayne RooneyCF '''21'''Emile Heskey   '''Substitutions:'''MF '''17'''Shaun Wright-Phillips   FW '''19'''Jermain Defoe   FW '''9''' Peter Crouch   '''Manager:''' Fabio Capello300px GK '''23'''Raïs M'BolhiCB '''2''' Madjid BougherraCB '''5''' Rafik HallicheCB '''4''' Antar Yahia (c)RM '''21'''Foued KadirCM '''19'''Hassan Yebda   CM '''8''' Mehdi Lacen  LM '''3''' Nadir BelhadjAM '''7''' Ryad Boudebouz   AM '''15'''Karim Ziani   CF '''13'''Karim Matmour'''Substitutions:'''MF '''22'''Djamel Abdoun   MF '''17'''Adlène Guedioura   DF '''20'''Djamel Mesbah   '''Manager:'''Rabah SaâdaneEngland vs Algeria'''Man of the Match:'''Ashley Cole (England)'''Assistant referees:'''Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan)Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan)'''Fourth official:'''Michael Hester (New Zealand)'''Fifth official:'''Jan Hendrik Hintz (New Zealand)===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. GK '''1''' Samir HandanovićRB '''2''' Mišo BrečkoCB '''4''' Marko ŠulerCB '''5''' Boštjan CesarLB '''13'''Bojan Jokić  CM '''8''' Robert Koren (c)CM '''18'''Aleksandar RadosavljevićRW '''10'''Valter Birsa  LW '''17'''Andraž Kirm   CF '''9''' Zlatan Ljubijankić   CF '''11'''Milivoje Novaković'''Substitutions:'''FW '''14'''Zlatko Dedić    FW '''23'''Tim Matavž   '''Manager:'''Matjaž Kek300px GK '''1''' David JamesRB '''2''' Glen Johnson  CB '''15'''Matthew UpsonCB '''6''' John TerryLB '''3''' Ashley ColeRM '''4''' Steven Gerrard (c)CM '''8''' Frank LampardCM '''14'''Gareth BarryLM '''16'''James MilnerSS '''19'''Jermain Defoe   CF '''10'''Wayne Rooney   '''Substitutions:'''MF '''11'''Joe Cole   FW '''21'''Emile Heskey   '''Manager:''' 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.GK '''1''' Tim HowardRB '''12'''Jonathan Bornstein   CB '''15'''Jay DeMeritCB '''3''' Carlos Bocanegra (c)LB '''6''' Steve CherundoloCM '''4''' Michael BradleyCM '''19'''Maurice Edu   RW '''8''' Clint DempseyLW '''10'''Landon DonovanSS '''17'''Jozy Altidore  CF '''9''' Herculez Gomez   '''Substitutions:'''MF '''22'''Benny Feilhaber   FW '''14'''Edson Buddle   MF '''7''' DaMarcus Beasley    '''Manager:'''Bob Bradley300px GK '''23'''Raïs M'BolhiCB '''2''' Madjid BougherraCB '''5''' Rafik HallicheCB '''4''' Antar Yahia (c)  RM '''21'''Foued KadirCM '''19'''Hassan Yebda  CM '''8''' Mehdi Lacen  LM '''3''' Nadir BelhadjAM '''13'''Karim Matmour   AM '''15'''Karim Ziani   CF '''11'''Rafik Djebbour   '''Substitutions:'''FW '''9''' Abdelkader Ghezzal   MF '''17'''Adlène Guedioura   FW '''10'''Rafik Saïfi   '''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 *Algeria at the FIFA World Cup*England at the FIFA World Cup*Slovenia at the FIFA World Cup*United States at the FIFA World Cup
References