World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 39,760

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 16, 2014 at 11pm UK

Ghana
1-2
USA USA

Ayew (82')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Dempsey (1'), Brooks (86')

John Brooks winner stuns Ghana

By Alex Meyers, Reporter

Published: June 17 2014 | 00:59

Last updated: June 19 2014 | 00:33

John Brooks scores a late goal to give the USA a 2-1 victory in their World Cup opener against Ghana.

John Brooks scored a late goal to give the USA a 2-1 victory in their World Cup Group G opener against Ghana.

John Brooks of the United States scores his team's second goal on a header past Adam Kwarasey of Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match on June 17, 2014 © Getty Images

The Americans got off to the perfect start and took the lead within 29 seconds of the match. Clint Dempsey received Jermaine Jones's pass, before bursting into the box past John Boye and firing into the corner.

Jozy Altidore came close to scoring a second when he was picked out in the middle by Fabian Johnson but saw his close-range effort blocked by Boye.

The Americans were then dealt a blow minutes later as Altidore went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and could not continue

Clint Dempsey celebrates scoring for the USA in the first minute of their encounter with Ghana on June 16, 2014. © Getty Images

Ghana gradually fought their way back into the game and Christian Atsu curled a strike over the bar, before Asamoah Gyan saw a long-range effort beaten away by Tim Howard.

After the break Sulley Muntari looked to level the scores with a drive from range that whistled inches wide of the far post.

They came even closer soon after when Gyan rose to meet Atsu's cross, but could only put his header over the bar.

Andre Ayew of Ghana shoots and scores his team's first goal past John Brooks and Fabian Johnson of the United States (R) during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match on June 17, 2014 © Getty Images

Gyan seemed like Ghana's most likely player to get on the scoresheet and his powerful header was tipped wide by Howard, before he saw a close-range effort deflect narrowly over the bar.

In the 82nd minute Ghana equalised through Andre Ayew, who latched on to Gyan's clever back-heel and fired a strike past Howard.

They were not level for long as four minutes later the Americans regained their lead. Brooks rose the highest to meet Graham Zusi's corner and powered a header into the net past Kwarasey to claim all three points for his side.