Live Commentary

Last Updated at 4:56 pm, June 23rd 2010

1. FT

   The referee blows his whistle for full-time. The USA top Group C and will play in the last 16 of the World Cup. England finish second with Slovenia in third and Algeria fourth. The Americans are celebrating at the moment after a memorable victory.

2. 90+3

   Yahia is dismissed following an aerial challenge with Bocanegra. The Algeria skipper picks up a second booking and leaves the field as his nation's World Cup dreams crumble. His team-mates are shouting at the referee but they can't change the decision.

3. 90+2

   Algeria have a corner but the USA clear the danger. The Americans now have two minutes to hold out for.

4. 90+1

   GOAL DONOVAN! USA break clear and Dempsey's low effort is parried by M'Bohli. The rebound falls to Donovan and he blasts the ball home. The Americans are going to the last 16.

5. 90+1

   Yebda's cross from the right is headed straight at Howard by Saifi and USA break forward.

6. 90

   Beasley is penalised for handball in the Algeria box and he is booked by the referee. Didn't look deliberate so seems a bit harsh. There will be four minutes of additional time.

7. 89

   Buddle finds himself in space in the Algeria box but his attempted cut-back to Altidore is awful and Yahia clears the danger.

8. 88

   Yebda's latest effort from long-range becomes the latest to go high over the top of the bar. Algeria have not been as strong an attacking force after the break.

9. 87

   Ghezzel fails to win a free-kick as he tumbles under DeMerit's challenge. The referee waves play-on and the USA push back up the field.

10. 86

    Algeria make their final change with Rafik Saifi replacing Matmour. Quieter second half for the midfielder.

11. 85

    Dempsey is back on the field but he wastes the free-kick from 30 yards by sending the ball high over the top of the bar. Time is starting to run out for these sides. Both need the win and Algeria require a swing in goal difference.

12. 84

    Algeria collect another booking as Altidore's bustling forward run is ended by a late challenge from Lacen. He will now miss Algeria's last 16 game if they go through.

13. 83

    Dempsey is off the field at the moment after being caught by the arm of Yahia. He is bleeding but should be fine to continue after treatment. The Algeria skipper was a bit lucky to escape a second booking.

14. 82

    Buddle is crowded out in the USA box and M'Bohli gathers the loose ball. The Algeria goalkeeper has been the key figure in much of the action in this game.

15. 81

    The USA make an attacking final change with winger DaMarcus Beasley replacing defender Bornstein.

16. 80

    The resulting corner from Donovan is headed clear by Algeria. USA are well on top in this game but they still need a goal to reach the last 16 of the World Cup, unless Slovenia can do them a favour by equaslising against England.

17. 79

    The USA work the free-kick short to Bradley and his rasping effort is punched away by M'Bohli and the ball is knocked behind for a corner.

18. 78

    Dempsey wins a free-kick on the edge of the box as he is bundled to the ground by a poor challenge from Guedioura.

19. 77

    Cherundolo's cross from the right is headed behind by Halliche but the referee again gets a decision wrong as he awards the goal-kick to Algeria.

20. 76

    Altidore can't escape the action at the moment as he is fouled by Yahia. The Algeira skipper is booked.

21. 76

    Belhadj wastes a cross from the left with the ball sailing straight out of play for a goal-kick. Algeria are not an attacking force atv the moment.

22. 75

    Donovan's lofted free-kick from the left is headed over the bar by Bradley from 12 yards. The USA must be starting to rue their missed chances in this match.

23. 74

    A stupid challenge from Kadir gives USA a free-kick on the edge of the box. He pushed Altidore to the ground. The foremr Hull striker is heavily involved in this match.

24. 73

    Yebda again tries his luck from distance as he sends the ball high over the bar. Long-range shots continue to trouble the crowd behind the goal at the World Cup.

25. 72

    A rare chance to catch our breath in this match as Belhadj is fouled by Buddle to win a free-kick on the halfway line. Still 1-0 to England against Slovenia in the other Group C match.

26. 71

    Algeria continue to live on the edge as Altidore's driven cross from the right is turned narrowly over the top of his own bar by M'Bohli. The Algeria goalkeeper punches the resulting corner away from danger.

27. 70

    A very surprising change from Algeria with the impressive Ziani replaced by Adlene Guedioura.

28. 69

    Algeria quickly break forward with Ziani sending a driven effort from the edge of the box narrowly wide of Howard's right hand post. What a game we have at the moment.

29. 69

    The USA waste another chance as Altidore's header from close-range is stopped by M'Bohli. The effort was straight at the Algeria goalkeeper.

30. 68

    This World Cup keeps getting better. There is all to play for here with twists and turns in the offing as we reach the end of a fascinating Group C.

31. 67

    The corner causes a bit of panic in the Algeria box but the best the USA can do is send a header from Dempsey wide of goal.

32. 66

    Algeria make a change of their own before the corner with Abdelkader Ghezzal replacing Djebbour.

33. 66

    Feilhaber storms into the Algeria box and sees a low effort from a very tight angle knocked behind for a corner by M'Bohli. Great play from the USA midfielder.

34. 65

    It is an attacking change from the USA with striker Buddle replacing midfielder Edu.

35. 64

    The USA are preparing to make another change with striker Edson Buddle ready on the sidelines. There is no point wondering what might have been as we enter the final stages.

36. 63

    Time for a reminder that these two sides need to win this match. They will both exit the World Cup if the score here remains 0-0 and England continue to lead Slovenia 1-0.

37. 62

    Altidore becomes the first USA player to be booked today for a clumsy challenge on Halliche. That is his first yellow card of the World Cup.

38. 61

    Bougherra, who was fantastic against England, impresses again as he calmly halts Altidore's run and knocks the ball clear. Algeria need to stay strong in defence with the USA cranking up the pressure.

39. 60

    Dempsey's cross from the left is blocked by Yahia and Algeria are easily able to clear the ball away from danger. The USA are finding more space in the final third.

40. 59

    Yebda is a bit optimistic as he sends an overhead kick wide of goal from the edge of the box. This game is set for a very entertaining finish.

41. 58

    Feilhaber's cross from the right drifts over the head of Dempsey and drifts away from the Algeria box. The USA haven't been at their best today but they should be leading with two great chances missed.

42. 57

    Dempsey curves a neat effort against the left hand post of the Algeria goal. The rebound goes back to the USA striker but he loses his balance and sends the ball wide of goal from five yards. The USA are missing far too many good chances.

43. 56

    Great work from Bradley as he wins the ball from Matmour on the edge of the box. The USA are strong in defence.

44. 55

    Ziani continues to shine as his cross from the right is blocked by Bornstein. Rather strangely the linesman gives the throw-in to the USA. Not a great day for the officials so far.

45. 54

    Easy work for Howard as he is able to race out of his goal and gather Djebbour's header.

46. 53

    Good work from Halliche and Bougherra as they combine to stop Altidore's run. There is much to like about Algeria's display so far but they do need to bag some goals.

47. 52

    Belhadj's corner from the right is met by Bougherra at the far post and the defender knocks the ball back to Yebda. No joy for Algeria as Yebda wastes the resulting chance by sending a header high over the bar.

48. 51

    Altidore fails to work a neat one-two with Feilhaber as his afternoon of frustration continues. The USA need a bit more nous in the final third.

49. 50

    A nervous moment for the USA as Halliche heads a corner from the left narrowly wide of goal. It looks like both sides will create chances as this match goes on.

50. Jim in Illinois and Neill in England are both USA fans who think their side can reach the last 16. Let me know if you agree at nick.hext@bskyb.com.

51. 49

    Great work from M'Bohli as he claims Cherundolo's cross from the right with ease. The Algeria goalkeeper is starting to show why he has been linked with a switch to the Premier League.

52. 48

    Matmour pokes the ball wide of goal from close-range but he is caught offside so the moment won't be remembered for too long.

53. 47

    Bornstein sends a cross from the left straight out of play for a throw-in on the other flank. The USA should have plenty more to offer in this half.

54. 46

    The second half starts with former Derby midfielder Feilhaber replacing Gomez for the USA.

55. It looks like the USA are going to make a change before the second half starts with Benny Feilhaber the man warming up.

56. Hull fan Ian, an Englishman in Alabama - not New York, says: "I can see the worst happening: England draw 1-1 with Slovenia getting an injury time equalizer and USA beating Algeria with a Jozy (ex-Hull City) Altidore winner." Let me know if you agree at nick.hext@bskyb.com.

57. Let me know your thoughts on the action so far at nick.hext@bskyb.com.

58. USA are now evens to win this match with our friends at Sky Bet, Algeria are 4/1 and the draw can be backed at 6/4.

59. 45+1

    The referee blows his whistle for half-time. The score is 0-0 and both of these sides will exit the World Cup if things stay the same here and in the other Group C game, where England lead Slovenia 1-0.

60. 45

    There will be one minute of additional time.

61. 44

    Ziani cuts in from the left and sends a powerful effort narrowly wide of Howard's left hand post. There is plenty of spark in Algeria's attacking players today.

62. 43

    Dempsey's swerving effort from the edge of the box is gathered by M'Bohli in the centre of his goal. The Algeria goalkeeper looks more confident as the game progresses.

63. 42

    Good work from M'Bohli as he catches Donovan's looping cross from the right with ease at the far post. Plenty of entertainment in this match so far but only one clear-cut chance for Altidore.

64. 41

    Ziani is caught offside as he looks to find space behind the USA defence. That looks like another wrong decision from the team of officials.

65. 40

    DeMerit produces another powerful challenge to win the ball from Ziani. The USA defenders are not allowing Algeria much space as they near dangerous positions.

66. 39

    Matmour has another go from long-range and this time he forces Howard to punch the ball over the top of the bar. Algeria waste the resulting corner.

67. 38

    The USA can't believe Altidore has missed that chance. He showed a real lack of composure with the goal at his mercy.

68. 37

    Altidore produces one of the misses of the World Cup as he sends a volley high over the empty goal from six yards. Good work from Donovan created the chance.

69. 36

    Yebda's long ball forward races away from Matmour and Howard is easily able to claim possession.

70. 35

    Matmour's cut-back from the left goes behind everyone in the USA box and the danger is cleared. The Americans quickly work the ball forward and Dempsey sees a low effort saved by M'Bohli.

71. 34

    DeMerit does well to beat Dejebbour in the air and clear the ball from the USA box. Plenty for the American central-defenders to do in the first half.

72. 33

    The World Cup continues to sparkle after a slow opening. This match contains two sides who are searching for goals and playing some neat passing football.

73. 32

    Donovan slices a volley wide of goal from the edge of the box. The USA forward has struggled to shine in this match so far.

74. 31

    Djebbour again gets involved in the action as his cross from the right is headed clear by DeMerit.

75. 30

    There is still a long way to go in this match but we can expect to see both sides pushing for goals as the minutes tick by. The prize is a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

76. 29

    USA easily clear the corner and Altidore looks to break forward. His run doesn't cause any problems as Yahia wins the ball for Algeria.

77. 28

    Matmour's effort from 30 yards takes a deflection off the top of Bocanegra's head and goes behind for a corner.

78. 27

    Djebbour slips in the USA box as he looks to turn Jay DeMerit and the danger is cleared. This is a very good spell of pressure for Algeria.

79. 26

    Matmour is again at the centre of the action as his cross from the left is headed clear of danger by Bocanegra. The Algeria midfielder is impressing so far today.

80. 25

    Kadir's cross from the right is turned clear of danger by Bocanegra. Algeria are looking more of an attacking threat in this match.

81. 24

    Matmour's effort from the edge of the box is blocked by Bocanegra and the USA clear. Algeria are on top after Dempsey's goal was ruled out.

82. 23

    That goal puts plenty of pressure on the sides in this game. They will both be going home from South Africa if the two scores stay the same.

83. 22

    There is a goal in the other game in Group C with England going 1-0 up against Slovenia. They are currently going through to the last 16 with Slovenia.

84. 21

    USA coach Bob Bradley is very unhappy with that decision and he has every right to be. His side also had a goal ruled out in their previous World Cup game against Slovenia, a 2-2 draw.

85. 20

    USA have a goal ruled out for offside as Clint Dempsey turns the ball home at the far post. Donovan's effort from the right hand side of the box was parried into the direction of the Fulham striker by M'Bohli before he struck. It looks like that was the wrong call from the linesman.

86. 19

    Landon Donovan is the latest man to try his luck from long-range but he only succeeds in sending the ball high over the bar. That seems to have been the result of the majority of shots in this tournament.

87. 18

    Gomez tries to write his name into World Cup history with an acrobatic effort from the edge of the box but he can only send the shot the high over the bar. Good try from the USA forward.

88. 17

    Ziani continues to look lively early on as his effort from the edge of the box is blocked by Bocanegra. Algeria have just about looked the better side so far.

89. 16

    Altidore's looping cross from the left is gathered at the second attempt by M'Bohli. The Algeria goalkeeper looks a bit shaky and the USA would be wise to test him more.

90. 15

    Yebda looks to make a more positive impact on this match but he fails to take his chance as he sends the ball well wide of goal from 25 yards.

91. 14

    Hassan Yebda becomes the first player to be booked today as he bundles Altidore to the ground. He will now miss Algeria's last 16 clash if they progress in this tournament.

92. 13

    Matmour does well to win a corner as he forces Cherundolo to knock the ball behind on the left. The USA do well to clear the resulting flag-kick.

93. 12

    Algeria are dominating possession at the start of this match. The USA are working the ball quicker up the field but you would have to consider the contest 50/50 at the moment.

94. 11

    Djebbour snatches at a chance on the left hand side of the USA box as he sends a volley high and wide of goal.

95. 10

    Clint Dempsey sends a free-kick from 30 yards high over the top of the bar. Plenty of chances at the moment.

96. 9

    This match has started to come to life in the last few minutes. Both sides are starting to play with some real attacking swagger.

97. 8

    Herculez Gomez looks to make a name for himself but his effort from 20 yards is turned behind for a corner by Rais M'Bohli. The resulting corner is cleared by Algeria.

98. 7

    Rafik Djebbour finds himself through one-on-one with Tim Howard and he sends a volley crashing against the bar from 12 yards. The loose ball is cleared.

99. 6

    Jozy Altidore looks to find Landon Donovan with a clever lick. Madjid Bougherra is alive to the danger and knocks the ball clear. Decent flow to the action at the start of this match.

100. 5

     USA are enjoying their first spell of sustained spell of possession in this match but they waste it as a pass to Steve Cherundolo on the right drifts out of play for a throw-in.

101. 4

     Karim Ziani's free-kick from the left is cleared away from danger by a clearance from Carlos Bocanegra. Algeria have made the brighter start to this match.

102. 3

     Matmour continues to get involved in the early action as his cross from the right drifts out of play for a goal-kick.

103. 2

     Karim Matmour has the first shot of the match but his effort causes no panic for the USA as it drifts high over the top of the bar.

104. 1

     The action is under way with Algeria keeping the ball early on.

105. The national anthems are being played. There is a good atmosphere in the stadium for this clash.

106. USA are on two points heading into this game with Algeria on one. A win for the Americans would definitely secure their spot in the last 16 and Algeria will go through if they claim victory by two goals or more. USA are currently above England in the standings by two goals.

107. Here is some team news for this match: The USA make three changes with Jonathan Bornstein, Herculez Gomez and Maurice Edu replacing Oguchi Onyewu, Robbie Findley and Jose Torres. Algeria make one change of their own with Rafik Djebbour the man to receive the call up.

108. Here are the teams for today's match: USA: Howard, Bornstein, DeMerit, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Dempsey, Edu, Bradley, Donovan, Gomez, Altidore. Subs: Guzan, Spector, Onyewu, Beasley, Holden, Clark, Buddle, Torres, Findley, Goodson, Feilhaber, Hahnemann.

109. Algeria: M'Bohli, Bougherra, Halliche, Yahia, Kadir, Yebda, Lacen, Belhadj, Matmour, Ziani, Djebbour. Subs: Gaouaoui, Mansouri, Boudebouz, Ghezzal, Saifi, Bellaid, Laifaoui, Guedioura, Medjani, Mesbah, Abdoun, Chaouchi.

110. The referee is Frank De Bleeckere from Belgium.

111. Sky Bet make USA 5/6 favourites to win this match, Algeria are 10/3 and you can back the draw at 5/2.

112. Welcome to our live coverage of the World Cup Group C clash between USA and Algeria. This match is vital with both sides in with a shout of bagging a spot in the last 16 and some focus will also be on England's clash against Slovenia. Send your pre-match thoughts to nick.hext@bskyb.com.