GROUP C
▲Algeria 0 - 1 United States
PHOTO: REUTERS
Landon Donovan was moments from reliving his worst soccer heartache, a first-round World Cup exit, when he scored the most important goal of his life to send the US into the round-of-16.
The 28-year-old midfielder has battled divorce, unconvincing stints in Europe and first-round disappointment at the 2006 World Cup, but netted the defining goal of his career in stoppage-time on Wednesday to snatch a 1-0 victory over Algeria.
“I have been through a lot in the last four years,” Donovan said, breaking into tears. “I’m so glad it culminated in this way. It makes me believe in the good in this world. When you try to do things the right way, it’s nice to get rewarded.”
The US spent 90 minutes trying in vain to crack the Desert Foxes, before Donovan led a counterattack by flicking a pass to Jozy Altidore, then running onto an unguarded rebound to slide the ball home in the early seconds of stoppage-time.
A draw would have sent the US home early once again, but victory allowed the squad to finish top of Group C, edging England on goals scored, and book a match in the round-of-16 tomorrow in Rustenburg.
“Sometimes in soccer you have games like that, where you get a lot of chances and they don’t go in,” Donovan said.
Such perseverance has summed up Donovan’s career and life lately. He failed in three tries at playing in the Bundesliga, only to find success in England early this year during a loan spell at Everton, scoring twice in 13 matches for the Toffees.
Donovan split with actress Bianca Kajlich in July last year, but said last month that he learned from her and from his disappointment at the US’ first-round 2006 World Cup exit and that it has made him a better person.
“There were two [lows] really. Soccer was after the 2006 World Cup. Personally was July of last year,” Donovan said. “These experiences can harden you and help you grow if you learn from them and look at them the right way.”
Donovan’s goal brought an end to an afternoon at Loftus Versfeld that began with the US team bus being tapped and cheered by US supporters lining the streets.
“To have that happen at a World Cup in South Africa, that was a really special feeling,” Bradley said. “To finish the night off with a great win with the support we had, that was something special.”
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