Ricardo Mazalan/AP/Press Association ImagesWhile the majority of group games at this World Cup took their time to get into their exciting stride, this wasnt the case for the Group G clash between USA and Ghana. The game was only 29 seconds old when Clint Dempsey ran onto a Jermaine Jones pass, glided past John Boye and slotted the ball confidently into the bottom corner. This early strike from Dempsey is the 5th fasted goal in World Cup history and gave the USA a great start to what was the tournament that the Americans really embraced football.
22. Samaras Penalty Vs Ivory Coast
In Greeces first two group games they set up with one purpose: to defend. And after a 3-0 loss to the impressive Columbians and a 0-0 draw against the Japanese it is amazing that they could still qualify from Group C. A win from their final group game against the Ivory Coast was needed if the side were to progress to the second round, a feat never achieved by Greece at a World Cup. Things started well for Greece and took a deserved lead through Andreas Samaris, although this was later cancelled out by Wilfried Bony. A draw was not enough and another group exit was on the cards, but when Ivory Coasts Sio was adjudged to have brought down Giorgio Samaras in the area, the Greek forward stepped up and confidently converted the spot kick, giving Greece the win they needed to finish second in the group.
Ricardo Mazalan/AP/Press Association ImagesWhile the majority of group games at this World Cup took their time to get into their exciting stride, this wasnt the case for the Group G clash between USA and Ghana. The game was only 29 seconds old when Clint Dempsey ran onto a Jermaine Jones pass, glided past John Boye and slotted the ball confidently into the bottom corner. This early strike from Dempsey is the 5th fasted goal in World Cup history and gave the USA a great start to what was the tournament that the Americans really embraced football. 