2010 FIFA World Cup Group C

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 England1UEFAUEFA Group 6 winners9 September 200913th2006Winners (1966)[14]78
B2 United States2CONCACAFCONCACAF fourth round winners10 October 20099th2006Third place (1930)[14]1114
B3 Algeria3CAFCAF third round Group C winners18 November 20093rd1986Group stage (1982, 1986)[14]2930
B4 Slovenia4UEFAUEFA play-off winners18 November 20092nd2002Group stage (2002)[14]4925

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

England controlled the early part of the match and got off to a quick lead when an unmarked Steven Gerrard made a run into the box and beat United States goalkeeper Tim Howard in the fourth minute with the outside of his right foot. The United States equalised in the 40th minute when a seemingly harmless shot by Clint Dempsey was mishandled by England goalkeeper Robert Green and rolled into the net. The United States had a good opportunity to take the lead and pull off a surprise upset in the second half; striker Jozy Altidore muscled his way through the left side of the English defence and had a good attempt on goal, but Green deflected the shot against the crossbar. England also had a good opportunity to win the game when Emile Heskey fired straight at the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.

England 1–1 United States
  • Gerrard 4'
 Report
Attendance: 38,646
England[17]
United States[17]
GK12Robert Green
RB2Glen Johnson
CB6John Terry
CB20Ledley Kingdownward-facing red arrow 46'
LB3Ashley Cole
RM7Aaron Lennon
CM8Frank Lampard
CM4Steven Gerrard (c)Yellow card 61'
LM16James MilnerYellow card 26'downward-facing red arrow 31'
SS10Wayne Rooney
CF21Emile Heskeydownward-facing red arrow 79'
Substitutions:
MF17Shaun Wright-Phillipsupward-facing green arrow 31'
DF18Jamie CarragherYellow card 60'upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW9Peter Crouchupward-facing green arrow 79'
Manager:
Italy Fabio Capello
GK1Tim Howard
RB6Steve CherundoloYellow card 39'
CB15Jay DeMeritYellow card 47'
CB5Oguchi Onyewu
LB3Carlos Bocanegra (c)
RM8Clint Dempsey
CM4Michael Bradley
CM13Ricardo Clark
LM10Landon Donovan
CF17Jozy Altidoredownward-facing red arrow 86'
CF20Robbie FindleyYellow card 74'downward-facing red arrow 77'
Substitutions:
FW14Edson Buddleupward-facing green arrow 77'
MF11Stuart Holdenupward-facing green arrow 86'
Manager:
Bob Bradley

Man of the Match:
Tim Howard (United States)

Assistant referees:
Altemir Hausmann (Brazil)[16]
Roberto Braatz (Brazil)[16]
Fourth official:
Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)[16]
Fifth official:
Evarist Menkouande (Cameroon)[16]

Algeria vs Slovenia
Algeria 0–1 Slovenia
Report
Attendance: 30,325
Algeria[19]
Slovenia[19]
GK16Faouzi Chaouchi
RB4Antar Yahia (c)
CB2Madjid Bougherra
CB5Rafik Halliche
LB3Nadir Belhadj
RM8Mehdi Lacen
CM15Karim Ziani
LM19Hassan YebdaYellow card 90+5'
RW21Foued Kadirdownward-facing red arrow 82'
LW13Karim Matmourdownward-facing red arrow 81'
CF11Rafik Djebbourdownward-facing red arrow 58'
Substitutions:
FW9Abdelkader GhezzalYellow card 59' Yellow-red card 73'upward-facing green arrow 58'
FW10Rafik Saïfiupward-facing green arrow 81'
MF17Adlène Guediouraupward-facing green arrow 82'
Manager:
Rabah Saâdane
GK1Samir Handanović
RB2Mišo Brečko
CB4Marko Šuler
CB5Boštjan Cesar
LB13Bojan Jokić
RM17Andraž Kirm
CM8Robert Koren (c)
CM18Aleksandar RadosavljevićYellow card 35'downward-facing red arrow 87'
LM10Valter Birsadownward-facing red arrow 84'
SS14Zlatko Dedićdownward-facing red arrow 53'
CF11Milivoje Novaković
Substitutions:
FW9Zlatan Ljubijankićupward-facing green arrow 53'
FW7Nejc Pečnikupward-facing green arrow 84'
MF20Andrej KomacYellow card 90+3'upward-facing green arrow 87'
Manager:
Matjaž Kek

Man of the Match:
Robert Koren (Slovenia)

Assistant referees:
Leonel Leal (Costa Rica)[18]
Carlos Pastrana (Honduras)[18]
Fourth official:
Peter O'Leary (New Zealand)[16]
Fifth official:
Brent Best (New Zealand)[16]

Slovenia vs United States

Once again the U.S. was outplayed early, as Valter Birsa netted for Slovenia from distance and Zlatan Ljubijankić extended the lead soon after to give them a 2–0 lead at half-time. In the 48th minute, Landon Donovan cut the lead in half for the United States when he dribbled into the Slovenian box and blasted a close-range shot over Samir Handanović into the roof of the net. The United States kept their hopes of advancement alive when they equalised in the 82nd minute. Altidore placed a header into the Slovenian box that was run down by midfielder Michael Bradley, who lobbed the keeper to tie the game. A few minutes later, the United States looked as if they were going to complete their comeback when a Donovan free kick was volleyed in by substitute Maurice Edu; however, referee Koman Coulibaly disallowed the goal and the game ended in a 2–2 draw.

Slovenia 2–2 United States
 Report
Attendance: 45,573
Slovenia[21]
United States[21]
GK1Samir Handanović
RB2Mišo Brečko
CB4Marko ŠulerYellow card 69'
CB5Boštjan CesarYellow card 35'
LB13Bojan JokićYellow card 75'
CM8Robert Koren (c)
CM18Aleksandar Radosavljević
RW10Valter Birsadownward-facing red arrow 87'
LW17Andraž KirmYellow card 72'
CF9Zlatan Ljubijankićdownward-facing red arrow 74'
CF11Milivoje Novaković
Substitutions:
FW7Nejc Pečnikupward-facing green arrow 74'downward-facing red arrow 90+4'
FW14Zlatko Dedićupward-facing green arrow 87'
MF20Andrej Komacupward-facing green arrow 90+4'
Manager:
Matjaž Kek
GK1Tim Howard
RB6Steve Cherundolo
CB15Jay DeMerit
CB5Oguchi Onyewudownward-facing red arrow 80'
LB3Carlos Bocanegra (c)
RM10Landon Donovan
CM16José Francisco Torresdownward-facing red arrow 46'
CM4Michael Bradley
LM8Clint Dempsey
CF17Jozy Altidore
CF20Robbie FindleyYellow card 40'downward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
MF22Benny Feilhaberupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF19Maurice Eduupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW9Herculez Gomezupward-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)[20]
Inácio Cândido (Angola)[20]
Fourth official:
Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)[20]
Fifth official:
Jeffrey Goh Gek Pheng (Singapore)[20]

England vs Algeria
England 0–0 Algeria
Report
Attendance: 64,100
England[22]
Algeria[22]
GK1David James
RB2Glen Johnson
CB18Jamie CarragherYellow card 58'
CB6John Terry
LB3Ashley Cole
RM7Aaron Lennondownward-facing red arrow 63'
CM14Gareth Barrydownward-facing red arrow 84'
CM8Frank Lampard
LM4Steven Gerrard (c)
SS10Wayne Rooney
CF21Emile Heskeydownward-facing red arrow 74'
Substitutions:
MF17Shaun Wright-Phillipsupward-facing green arrow 63'
FW19Jermain Defoeupward-facing green arrow 74'
FW9Peter Crouchupward-facing green arrow 84'
Manager:
Italy Fabio Capello
GK23Raïs M'Bolhi
CB2Madjid Bougherra
CB5Rafik Halliche
CB4Antar Yahia (c)
RM21Foued Kadir
CM19Hassan Yebdadownward-facing red arrow 88'
CM8Mehdi LacenYellow card 85'
LM3Nadir Belhadj
AM7Ryad Boudebouzdownward-facing red arrow 74'
AM15Karim Zianidownward-facing red arrow 81'
CF13Karim Matmour
Substitutions:
MF22Djamel Abdounupward-facing green arrow 74'
MF17Adlène Guediouraupward-facing green arrow 81'
DF20Djamel Mesbahupward-facing green arrow 88'
Manager:
Rabah Saâdane
England vs Algeria

Man of the Match:
Ashley Cole (England)

Assistant referees:
Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan)[20]
Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan)[20]
Fourth official:
Michael Hester (New Zealand)[20]
Fifth official:
Jan Hendrik Hintz (New Zealand)[20]

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
Attendance: 36,893
Slovenia[23]
England[23]
GK1Samir Handanović
RB2Mišo Brečko
CB4Marko Šuler
CB5Boštjan Cesar
LB13Bojan JokićYellow card 40'
CM8Robert Koren (c)
CM18Aleksandar Radosavljević
RW10Valter BirsaYellow card 79'
LW17Andraž Kirmdownward-facing red arrow 79'
CF9Zlatan Ljubijankićdownward-facing red arrow 62'
CF11Milivoje Novaković
Substitutions:
FW14Zlatko DedićYellow card 81'upward-facing green arrow 62'
FW23Tim Matavžupward-facing green arrow 79'
Manager:
Matjaž Kek
GK1David James
RB2Glen JohnsonYellow card 48'
CB15Matthew Upson
CB6John Terry
LB3Ashley Cole
RM4Steven Gerrard (c)
CM8Frank Lampard
CM14Gareth Barry
LM16James Milner
SS19Jermain Defoedownward-facing red arrow 86'
CF10Wayne Rooneydownward-facing red arrow 72'
Substitutions:
MF11Joe Coleupward-facing green arrow 72'
FW21Emile Heskeyupward-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
Attendance: 35,827
United States[24]
Algeria[24]
GK1Tim Howard
RB12Jonathan Bornsteindownward-facing red arrow 80'
CB15Jay DeMerit
CB3Carlos Bocanegra (c)
LB6Steve Cherundolo
CM4Michael Bradley
CM19Maurice Edudownward-facing red arrow 64'
RW8Clint Dempsey
LW10Landon Donovan
SS17Jozy AltidoreYellow card 62'
CF9Herculez Gomezdownward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
MF22Benny Feilhaberupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW14Edson Buddleupward-facing green arrow 64'
MF7DaMarcus BeasleyYellow card 90'upward-facing green arrow 80'
Manager:
Bob Bradley
GK23Raïs M'Bolhi
CB2Madjid Bougherra
CB5Rafik Halliche
CB4Antar Yahia (c)Yellow card 76' Yellow-red card 90+3'
RM21Foued Kadir
CM19Hassan YebdaYellow card 12'
CM8Mehdi LacenYellow card 83'
LM3Nadir Belhadj
AM13Karim Matmourdownward-facing red arrow 84'
AM15Karim Zianidownward-facing red arrow 69'
CF11Rafik Djebbourdownward-facing red arrow 65'
Substitutions:
FW9Abdelkader Ghezzalupward-facing green arrow 65'
MF17Adlène Guediouraupward-facing green arrow 69'
FW10Rafik Saïfiupward-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
  1. "England face USA, Algeria & Slovenia in 2010 World Cup". BBC Sport. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  2. "World Cup 2010 draw: the details". The Guardian. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  3. "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. "Yahia sends Algeria to World Cup". BBC Sport. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  6. "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. "Guide to the teams at South Africa 2010". BBC Sport. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  15. "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. "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.
  17. "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.
  18. "Algeria-Slovenia gets substitute ref". ESPNsoccernet.com. Associated Press. 8 June 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  19. "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.
  20. "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.
  21. "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.
  22. "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.
  23. "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.
  24. "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.
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