John Brooks headed in a late winner for USA in a dramatic finale to their opening FIFA World Group “G” game against Ghana in Natal Brazil yesterday.
Captain Clint Dempsey put USA ahead on 2 seconds with the fifth-fastest goal in World Cup history, cutting inside John Boye before sweeping home.
Ghana upped the tempo and equalised when Andre A-YEW latched on to A-SA-MOAH Gyan’s back-heel to score the equaliser.
USA looked tired but Brooks nodded in from six yards following a corner to give his side a winning start. The victory also gave USA a measure of revenge for being knocked out of the past two World Cups by Ghana.
Elsewhere yesterday, Thomas Muller scored the first hat-trick of the 2014 World Cup as Germany produced a ruthless attacking display to destroy 10-man Portugal and open their campaign in style with a 4-nil hammering.
Centre-back Mats Hummels scored Germany’s other goal and Iran drew nil-nil with Nigeria.
Today should have seen, host Brazil meeting Mexioc in Group “A”, while Belgian facing Algeria and Russia tacking on South Korea in Group “H” matches.
