Confederations Cup: Spain 0-2 USA

Tonight's Confederations Cup semi final pitted the unlikeliest of candidates against the best international team in the world. The United States tore Egypt apart in the final Group B match and then waited for the result between Italy and Brazil to be confirmed, sending Bob Bradley's side to a last four match against Spain.

Spain were huge favourites for this game, and nobody - myself included - gave the USA a hope.

Shows what I know.

The US started brightly and created the game's first chance in the seventh minute. Good work on the right hand side resulted in a calm cross aimed at Landon Donovan, but Charlie Davies got there first and hit an acrobatic bicycle kick just wide. A minute later he failed to connect properly with a close range header, which was quickly followed by a shot narrowly wide by Clint Dempsey.

Four minutes later it was Spain threatening. Albert Riera picked out a fizzing ball across the six yard box but Fernando Torres, under pressure, couldn't control the finish. With that the game began to settle into a more predictable rhythm, Spain controlling the play and the US looking slightly wasteful in position. But it certainly wasn't one-way traffic. Defensively, the Americans were willing to throw everything at the ball to keep it out.

Just before the half hour, the unthinkable happened. Davies and Dempsey linked up superbly down the US left and Jozy Altidore showed fantastic strength to hold off and then roll his marker before firing in a powerful shot which caught Iker Casillas going the wrong way. The Real Madrid stopper could only palm the ball in off the post and the US were in front. Altidore was booked for his celebration, but who can blame him.

Spain continued to hold much of the possesion but were unable to make it count, and in the 36th minute Donovan swung in a lovely free kick and Dempsey took it right off Bocanegra's head. The USA skipper would almost certainly have scored the second.

Still the chances came for the Spanish, but their final ball just wasn't quite there, and they were far from clinical in front of goal as half time loomed. A strong save by Tim Howard from Fernando Torres took the US into the break ahead of the European champions.

The USA started the second half well but Spain forced a save from Howard in the 47th minute. The pressure continued and Spain really began to force the issue early on, but the US defence continued to be impressively strong. Jay Demerit's bravery and awareness kept the States in the game on a couple of occasions. Howard in the American goal played his part too, and Michael Bradley was brilliant in midfield throughout.

As the game reached the hour mark, Spain were getting closer and closer to an equaliser. David Villa came closest with a shot from distance which zipped past Howard's right hand post. Howard was called into action four minutes later, putting two firm fists behind a shot by Sergio Ramos, who had the freedom of the right wing in the second half.

Rico Clark blocked another Ramos shot at the very last second in the 66th minute, continuing some incredible US defending. Brave doesn't get close to describing it - it was heroic.

Charlie Davis was replaced by Benny Feilhaber in the 69th minute as Bob Bradley switched things around at the front. Dempsey moved up front with Altidore and Donovan moved to the left side of midfield.

After what seemed like an age of attacking, it was bad defending which caused real trouble for Spain. Brilliant play by Feilhaber found Donovan on the edge of the area. The Galaxy midfielder elected to play a pass across the six yard box. Ramos made the biggest error he will in his career, controlling the ball in front of goal without checking what was around him. What was around him was Clint Dempsey, who prodded the ball into the Spanish net to double the Americans' lead.

The States were robbed by two shocking offside calls, but despite their tiredness they held out to pick up a famous win. They weren't helped by Michael Bradley picking up a red card for a slightly studs-up challenge with four minutes left. To be frank, if that was a red card then I'm Eric f*cking Cantona.

Spain's long, long unbeaten and winning runs come to an end, and the USA will face Brazil or South Africa in the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup. Based on tonight's performance, they thoroughly deserve it.