The Americans can now breathe a sigh of relief as Landon Donovan’s last second goal helped the squad avoid elimination and advance to the round of 16.
Instead of enduring yet another disappointing World Cup performance, Donovan’s heroics made the U.S. leapfrog over England and win their group for the first time since 1930.
Sitting in third place at the 90-minute mark, the Yanks appeared to be on their last gasp but everything changed in the blink of an eye as Donovan led the side on one last attack.
Forward Jozy Altidore squared the ball into the six-yard box, where Algerian goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi’s save popped back out and Donovan who was trailing from behind buried the loose ball into the empty net.
Donovan fled to the corner flag in celebration as he was submerged in a sea of white shirts, and became the man who triumphed the U.S. to its biggest win in World Cup history.
Algeria, who has never progressed to the second round of the World Cup, had to watch as yet another opportunity was ripped from them and must now wait four more years for redemption.
The Desert Foxes started the game off brightly, as Rafik Djebbour smashed a volley in the sixth minute that hit the crossbar. Djebbour kept the pressure on with his offense but his shots could not seem to find the target.
USA continued to gain more rhythm and possession but déjà vu came upon them in the 21st minute, as Clint Dempsey’s goal was disallowed after a questionable called ruled him offside.
The poor officiating seemed to affect the Americans because despite their dominance in play over the Algerians, they could not seem to find the back of the net.
All hope seemed lost, until the captain Donovan’s goal in the 91st minute uplifted the Americans spirits from a possible extermination, as they now go on to face Ghana in the next round.