Late Brooks header gives US victory over Ghana

Michael Brehme, dpa

A late header by substitute John Brooks gave the US a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ghana Monday in their opening Group G match in Natal.

Clint Dempsey scored the fifth fastest goal in World Cup history at the Estadio das Dunas to put Juergen Klinsmann's side in front after just 29 seconds but Jordan Ayew looked to have salvaged a point for the Black Stars when he scored eight minutes from time.

However, poor defending by Ghana allowed defender Brooks to head home from a corner five minutes from time to register his first international goal and hand victory to the US.

Ghana dominated for large periods but in the end paid the price for some lax defending and sloppy finishing with Asamoah Gyan the main culprit.

The US were first to settle, mostly thanks to Dempsey's early strike when the Seattle Sounders midfielder cut inside from the left flank before firing past Adam Kwarasey in the Ghana goal.

The US almost went further ahead through Jozy Altidore shortly after the quarter-hour mark but the Sunderland striker's shot was well blocked.

Klinsmann was forced to make an early change on 24 minutes when Altidore limped off with what appeared like a hamstring injury, with AZ Alkmaar forward Aron Johannsson coming on his place.

Although Ghana enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, the Black Stars had to wait until shortly before the break for their first clear goal chance but Ayew's shot was tame.

Ghana were much the stronger side in the second half with Sulley Muntari firing just wide from outside the area on 55 minutes and Gyan heading over a minute later as the US sat back and defended their slender lead.

Gyan tested Tim Howard with another header on 58 minutes while Geoff Cameron managed to block the Al Ain striker's goal-bound shot five minutes later as Ghana enjoyed their best period of the match.

With time running out James Appiah brought on Michael Essien and Kevin Prince Boateng but it was Gyan who produced the needed moment of magic after 82 minutes, backheeling the ball into the path of Ayew, who fired past Howard.

However, the Ghana defence switched off on a US corner shortly afterwards to allow Brooks seal a vital win for Klinsmann's side.