Another Stunner At World Cup
The United States took its turn at shocking the soccer world Wednesday, upsetting powerful Portugal 3-2 in the World Cup. Ahead 3-0, the U.S. ran out time after Portugal made it close to the chants of "U.S.A. … U.S.A.," and "Hey hey hey … goodbye," chants that sounded odd in Suwon, South Korea.
It was the first time the United States had scored three goals in a single match in a World Cup finals since 1930.
The United States – which got the victory without key players Claudio Reyna and Clint Mathis – was just the latest team to pull off a stunner. The first upset came in the first match of the tournament, when Senegal topped defending champion France, 1-0.
"We took advantage of our chances," said Brian McBride, who scored what turned out to be the deciding goal on a beautiful diving header after a long cross pass.
John O'Brien, one of six U.S. players making their World Cup debuts, scored just four minutes into the game. The Americans got another goal in the 29th minute when a shot by Landon Donovan, one of the two 20-year-olds in the lineup, deflected in off a defender.
Back came Portugal, ranked fifth in the world, but making its first World Cup appearance in 16 years. Beto scored off a scramble in the 39th minute.
U.S. veteran Jeff Agoos, making his World Cup debut at age 34, tried to clear a cross by Pauleta with his left leg, only to send the ball into his own goal in the 71st minute.
But the Americans, in the most pressurized situation they've faced, held on.
The game after the U.S. match provided still more drama as Ireland waited until the final ticks to tie Germany at one goal apiece and preserve its chances of advancing into the second round.
They are the first teams to have played two games in the tournament; Germany is 1-0-1, Ireland 0-0-2.
Keane's right-footed blast came just seconds before the final whistle. It set off wild celebrations by the Irish team in front of its enthralled supporters, who filled the section on the side of the stadium where Keane scored.
Germany looked set to become the first team to advance to the second round following its 8-0 rout of Saudi Arabia in its opening match. A 19th-minute goal by striker Miroslav Klose, his fourth in two matches, had given the Germans the lead.
Also, Russia beat Tunisia 2-0 Wednesday with two goals within five minutes in the second half at Kobe, Japan.
In another development, Brazil's Rivaldo was fined $7,000 for his theatrics against Turkey. FIFA hit the Brazilian star with the fine for faking an injury in the team's opener. But the world soccer organization stopped short of suspending him.
Rivaldo is the first player punished in a crackdown on so-called "simulation" — pretending to be fouled.
In injury time of Brazil's 2-1 victory Monday, Turkey's Hakan Unsal kicked the ball at Rivaldo, who was preparing to make a corner kick. Rivaldo, who three minutes earlier scored Brazil's second goal, went down clutching his head, even though he was hit in the thigh. Referee Kim Young-joo of South Korea ejected the Turk.
Rivaldo quickly got up and continued playing.
England captain David Beckham apologized to the English and Japanese soccer fans after his players failed to acknowledge their cheers at the end of a disappointing 1-1 tie with Sweden on Sunday.