Ghana 1-2 USA: John Brooks' late header sinks Black Stars after Clint Dempsey had earlier struck after just 29 seconds
- Clint Dempsey put USA ahead after just 29 seconds in Natal
- Dempsey's goal the fifth quickest in World Cup history
- Andre Ayew equalised after 82 minutes for Ghana
- Substitute John Brooks then headed home four minutes later
- Germany stay top of Group G after earlier beating Portugal 4-0
GHANA vs USA: Match Zone
Here's how Clint Dempsey scored one of the fastest goals in World Cup history... CLICK HERE to view our brilliant Match Zone service.
The former Fulham frontman put Jurgen Klinsmann’s side ahead in the Group G clash, only for Andre Ayew to haul the Ghanaians level.
However, substitute Brooks landed the decisive blow in the dying seconds when he headed a last-gasp winner.
It ended a run of back-to-back defeats against Ghana after losing in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and boosted their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages in Brazil.
Dempsey gave the Americans a dream start when he broke the deadlock after just 31 seconds.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch delighted USA fans after their side's victory over Ghana
American dream start: Clint Dempsey celebrates his quickfire opener after catching Ghana cold
Disbelief: John Brooks celebrates his late headed winner for the Americans
Jumping for joy: Dempsey hit the heights after giving the United States the lead in Natal
Joining the party: Dempsey's American team-mates followed him into the corner to congratulate him
MATCH FACTS
Ghana: Kwarasey 5.5, Opare 5, Mensah 5.5, Boye 5, Asamoah 5.5, Atsu 6.5 (Adomah 78, 5), Rabiu 5.5 (Essien 71, 5), Muntari 5.5, Andre Ayew 6.5, Jordan Ayew 6 (Boateng 59, 6.5), Gyan 6.5.
Subs Not Used: Adams, Inkoom, Afriyie, Badu, Sumaila, Waris, Wakaso, Afful, Dauda.
Booked: Rabiu, Muntari.
Goals: Andre Ayew 82.
USA: Howard 6.5, Johnson 5.5, Cameron 7.5, Besler 6 (Brooks 46, 7), Beasley 5, Bedoya 5.5 (Zusi 77, 5), Jones 6.5, Bradley 6, Beckerman 5.5, Dempsey 6.5, Altidore 5 (Johannsson 23, 5.5).
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Yedlin, Gonzalez, Diskerud, Davis, Green, Wondolowski, Chandler, Rimando.
Goals: Dempsey 1, Brooks 86.
Man of the Match: Geoff Cameron.
Attendance: 39,760
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden).
The Texan, who had a disappointing loan spell at Fulham last season, weaved his way through the Ghana defence before firing past Adam Kwarasey off the right-hand post.
Ghana creeped into the game and US keeper Tim Howard had to be alert to take the ball off Asamoah Gyan's toes.
However, Jozy Altidore wasted a glorious chance to double USA's lead when his close-range shot was blocked by John Boye.
That proved to be the Sunderland striker's last contribution as he pulled his hamstring shortly after and left the field on a stretcher.
Ghana's Christian Atsu sent an effort over Howard's bar, but the Everton keeper had to get down low to beat away Gyan's long-range effort just after the half-hour mark.
There was another injury scare for the US when Dempsey got caught in the face by Boye's flailing boot, but the Seattle Sounders forward dusted himself down and returned to the field after receiving treatment to a bloody nose.
Jordan Ayew could have levelled in stoppage-time, only to fluff his lines from 12 yards when he should have forced Howard into a save.
Stars and stripes... and scarves: The American fans show their colours at the start of the match
Fast start: Dempsey squeezes the ball home with just 31 seconds on the clock in Natal
Doubling up: This fan in Natal was showing he support for the United States and Colombia
Weird and wonderful: Ghana fans were in the party mood ahead of kick-off against the USA
Crowd pleaser: Dempsey enjoyed his big moment after firing his side into a very early lead
Agony: USA's Sunderland forward Jozy Altidore went down clutching the back of his leg in the first half
Early exit: Altidore left the pitch on a stretcher and if it is a hamstring injury his tournament could be over
Flat out: Dempsey needed help after receiving a boot in the face from Ghana's John Boye
Bloody mess: Dempsey will have a few battle scars after taking one full in the face from Boye
Outraged: Klinsmann protests after Boye escapes without a booking for catching Dempsey
QUICKEST WORLD CUP GOALS
1) Hakan Sukur (2002): 11 seconds, TURKEY vs South Korea
2) Vaclav Masek (1962): 16 seconds, CZECHOSLOVAKIA vs Mexico
3) Ernst Lehner (1934): 25 seconds, GERMANY vs Austria
4) Bryan Robson (1982): 27 seconds, ENGLAND vs France
5) Clint Dempsey (2014): 29 seconds, USA vs Ghana
6) Bernard Lacombe (1978): 30 seconds, FRANCE vs Italy
7) Emile Veinante (1938): 35 seconds, FRANCE vs Belgium
7=) Arne Nyberg (1938): 35 seconds, SWEDEN vs Hungary
9) Florian Albert (1962): 50 seconds, HUNGARY vs Bulgaria
9) Adalbert Desu (1930): 50 seconds, ROMANIA vs Peru
Sulley Muntari flashed a long-range drive wide at the beginning of the second half, while Gyan headed over unmarked from eight yards.
The Ghana captain almost made amends moments later, but his effort was turned around the post by Howard.
Jermaine Jones stung the hands of Kwarasey as Klinsmann’s men made a rare venture forward, while Geoff Cameron’s last-ditch block denied Gyan at the other end.
The Africans were camped inside the US half and Kwesi Appiah brought on Kevin-Prince Boateng, Michael Essien and Middlesbrough’s Albert Adomah as they searched desperately for an equaliser.
And their persistence paid off when Gyan’s clever backheel teed-up Andre Ayew, who powered a shot past Howard at his near post to level.
However, Brooks popped up with a dramatic winner as Klinsmann celebrated his 50th game in charge with three points.
Back in the game: Ghana were in the ascendency as Andre Ayew levelled the scores
Perfect 10: The Marseille man looked to have earned Ghana at least a point
Case for the defence: Brooks looks in a state of shock after scoring the winning goal
Mobbed: Striker Aron Johannsson celebrates withBrooks after his late winner
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