World Cup Today, Day 4

World Cup Today

JOHANNESBURG — A look at Day 13 Wednesday at the 2010 World Cup (all times EDT):

England 1, Slovenia 0, Group C, England advances, Slovenia eliminated

United States 1, Algeria 0, Group C, United States advances, Algeria eliminated

Germany 1, Ghana 0, Group D, Germany wins group, both teams advance

Australia 2, Serbia 1, Group D, both teams eliminated

The United States won a group stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1930 when Landon Donovan scored in second-half injury time for a 1-0 win over Algeria. The Americans won Group C on more goals scored over England, which also advanced.

England needed a victory to advance, and finally played some aggressive soccer to get it. Jermain Defoe knocked in a goal for the revived Three Lions as they beat Slovenia 1-0 to get to the knockout stages after two disappointing draws.

Germany won Group D with a 1-0 victory over Ghana, which also advanced. Mesut Oezil scored on a left-footed blast from outside the area in the 60th minute.

Ghana is the only African team to advance so far. Ivory Coast is a long shot to do so, and the other four nations from the continent have been eliminated.

Landon Donovan, the career scoring leader for the United States with 44, put in a rebound in second-half injury time, lifting the Americans past Algeria 1-0 and into the second round from Group C. Had he not scored, the U.S. would have been eliminated.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, Australia, kept the Socceroos in contention for the second round with several outstanding stops in a 2-1 win over Serbia. But the Aussies fell short in Group D.

The United States had lost its last five final matches of the group stage at the World Cup before edging Algeria 1-0 on Landon Donovan’s goal in second-half injury time. The Americans advanced to the second round as they won Group C.

Landon Donovan led a U.S. break upfield in the dying minutes against Algeria, then sent the ball on right wing to Jozy Altidore. His shot was saved, Clint Dempsey barely touched the rebound and the ball went directly to Donovan. His 44th international goal lifted the Americans into first place in Group C and into the knockout rounds.

A victory over Slovakia (10 a.m. at Johannesburg) keeps Italy alive without question. A draw could push the defending champion into the second round from Group F, but only if Paraguay beats New Zealand (10 a.m. at Polokwane) is that assured. Italy’s forwards have had trouble scoring in their opening two games, 1-1 draws against Paraguay and 78th-ranked New Zealand. The Slovaks must win and have Paraguay either beat or draw with New Zealand.

The Paraguayans have typified how South America has performed thus far. Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have advanced, and all La Albirroja need is a draw against the Kiwis to join the second-round party.

Group E already has a team in the next round, the Dutch. Although neither of their victories were impressive, they can rest regulars if they want in the game against Cameroon (2:30 p.m. at Cape Town). The Indomitable Lions were the first team eliminated.

The winner of Denmark-Japan (2:30 p.m. at Rustenburg) will join the Dutch in the second round. Either team could win the group with a decisive victory and a Dutch loss.

“We’re not done yet. We believe, man. We’re alive, baby.” — Landon Donovan after his second-half injury-time goal lifted the United States past Algeria 1-0 to win Group C and advance to the second round of the World Cup.

“I think it was just a show of unity in the team and the determination we’ve had before this game. No one wanted to go home with their tails between their legs after the group stage. We wanted go further than that, we want to go all the way.” — England midfielder Frank Lampard after a 1-0 victory over Algeria got it into the second round.