Spain v US as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

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By Jonathan Stevenson

2133: What a Confederations Cupset that was. It has left me reeling in a massive way and in a nutshell, what we just saw is why we miss football when it's not here. See you tomorrow for Brazil against South Africa. Surely not...

From Ollie in Camden, London, via text on 81111: "Jay DeMerit lives next door to me he's a great guy and an underrated quality centre-back."

From Thad on 606: "The players won these last two matches. Simply tired of being flogged by the press and everyone else who cares to take a punt. I don't see Bradley's hand here, just an angry beehive as you suggest. Still a good result for the USA. As you suggested earlier, they're Americans and always believe they can do it. Good job you lot."
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Marcel Desailly on BBC Three: "I was certainly impressed by USA. Each of their players have a very good level of discipline and they did not make a single mistake to allow Spain to score. The Spanish played in too tight a space, they didn't play very well today. They were tired and not motivated."

Lee Dixon on BBC Three: "Spain had this unbelievable run going, but I think they were outrun by the USA - everything good you can say about a team, you say about them tonight. They couldn't have done any more."

2120: Full-time Spain 0-2 USA
Well, I wasn't expecting that - but was anyone? USA produce surely the greatest Confederations Cup shock to beat Euro 2008 champions Spain and secure a place in Sunday's final. Against either Brazil or South Africa - and no way am I calling that one now. We've missed you, football.

2118: I'd love to know how many clearances/blocks/etc Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu have produced between them tonight. A million at least, I reckon.

2116: We're into stoppage time. You're not dreaming - USA really are beating Spain 2-0. Really.

From Adam, Watford, via text on 81111: "Who does Jay DeMerit play for Jonathan? You've not said. Come now, be brave despite our 'unfashionable' tag."
Haha. Job done, son.

2115: Jonathan Bornstein comes on for Clint Dempsey. Oguchi Onyewu doesn't care that USA are down to 10 men, he just keeps heading them away and will do all night if he has to. A minute of normal time left.

2112: SENDING OFF
Dad won't be pleased with that. Michael Bradley goes straight through Xavi and catches the Barca midfielder and he's shown a straight red card by referee Jorge Larrionda.

2111: Oguchi Onyewu heads a probing Mata cross away from danger and Spain haven't fashioned a clear-cut chance for a while now.

2109: It's like watching a football match from a bee hive. Anyway, Spain have got seven minutes plus injury time. They are 2-0 down to USA. 1950, anyone? US bring on Conor Casey for Jozy Altidore.

From AmericanSportFan on 606: "Ten minutes plus stoppage time. Hang on boys. You can do it. If we pull it off I will rank this high on my list of greatest sports upsets ahead of Douglas over Tyson and The Miracle on Ice."
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2105: Spain are probing, but they ain't getting two goals here. Gerard Pique, who probably feels like he hasn't lost a game of football for about three years, glances a header wide.

2104: Valencia's Mata comes on for the Spanish, with Albert Riera making way.

That's that then. Blimey, who'd have thought? Spain are in serious trouble as Landon Donovan is slipped in down the right and his cross deflects off Gerard Pique into the path of Sergio Ramos at the back post. For some crazy reason he dallies on the ball, about six yards out, and Clint Dempsey takes full advantage to slide into the empty net. Amazing scenes.

GOAL Spain 0-2 USA

2100: Albert Riera's cross from the left is heading for Fernando Torres... until Jay DeMerit gets in the way and the chance goes begging, again. I won't tire of saying it - he's been immense.

From Eugene in Jo'burg, via text on 81111: "I'm with two Americans in Johannesburg - come on Spain, you're killing me..."

2056: We have 20 minutes plus stoppage time left in Bloemfontein and Spain are on the brink of losing their 35-match unbeaten streak, to USA of all countries. Incredible. Still 1-0.

2055: USA haul off Charlie Davies and bring on Benny Feilhaber, who had a spell at Derby County once upon a time.

2054: Spain bring on the speedy Santi Cazorla for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas.

2052: It's backs-to-the-wall stuff of the highest order - Sergio Ramos thinks he's scored, but Ricardo Clark slides along the turf to get in an invaluable block.

2050: Jay DeMerit adds another £5m on to his price tag with a brilliant block to deny Albert Riera, before Tim Howard saves Cesc Fabregas's low shot and then Sergio Ramos's near-post drive. US are under serious pressure here.

2047: We have got half an hour left in the Free State Stadium and we're edging closer to a massive shock. Spain's David Villa smashes a shot wide from 25 yards.

2045: Spain are not being given anything for free here by USA and once again they are cramped for room on the edge of the Americans' area, David Villa giving the ball away.

From andresmora on 606: "Is Fabio Capello watching this game? He could certainly pick a few tips on how to play against Spain..."
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I can tell you that Mr Capello and his assistant Franco Baldini are in South Africa for the Confed Cup, so I'd be surprised if they weren't there tonight.

2040: Xavi goes down in the penalty area after Cesc Fabregas's delicate chip - it is a spot-kick because Landon Donovan barged into him, but the Barca man fell so easily, he didn't help himself.

2038: Spain are enjoying far more possession now and Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore aren't able to keep the ball at all for the US at the moment. Maybe they should sacrifice one for an extra midfielder - they are 1-0 ahead, after all.

2036: Tell you what - I wouldn't be surprised if Real Madrid bid £45m for Jay DeMerit after this - he's been monumental tonight. Another fabulous bid of shadow defending means David Villa cannot latch on to a through ball - it's textbook stuff from JdeM.

2034: Better from Spain. Cesc Fabregas tees up David Villa and his rasping half-volley is tipped away by Tim Howard, before moments later Xabi Alonso curls just over from 20 yards.

2033: Landon Donovan gets the better of Joan Capdevila at the back post and his cross is hammered away from danger by Gerard Pique.

2032: The players are back out and Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda gets the second half started in Bloemfontein. Spain 0-1 USA.

From Poolmyfinger on 606: "Individually my fellow Yanks are no more than Championship calibre players, even Dempsey included. But together, when playing with a "never say die" mentality, the US is a tough opponent. I understand that they got lucky in getting out of the group, but I guarantee that the US will not sit back in the second half. This will be a shootout."
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Marcel Desailly on BBC Three: "It's all about small details. Villa and Torres are not stretching the American team. The US are very tight in the midfield and they are not allowing the likes of Xabi Alonso to play. They need to get them stretched a little bit more."

From James, Chester, via text on 81111: "I hear Jozy Altidore is available for loan from Villarreal next season. Surely with his strength a few Premier League clubs should be interested?"

Martin Keown on BBC Three: "The Americans have been brave, they've gone with a 4-4-2 and they've got no-one sitting in. Clint Dempsey is having a very good game so far, he's the best player on the pitch."

2017: Half-time Spain 0-1 USA
An incredible scoreline, but that is exactly what the Americans deserve after a very impressive first-half performance. Spain need to step this up big time.

2015: Fernando Torres races away from Carlos Bocanegra down the right and cuts back inside, but instead of rolling it along the goalline to David Villa who has an easy tap-in, he shoots for the near post and Tim Howard makes the save. Selfish.

2013: Brilliant defending. Xavi's cute pass finds David Villa down the right and his cross looks for all the world to be leading to a goal as Sergio Ramos prepares to pull the trigger, but that man Jay DeMerit is on hand to clear once again.

2009: Lovely stuff from Spain, much nicer, as Xavi, David Villa and Cesc Fabregas almost fashion a chance for Fernando Torres, but he is well-shackled by Jay DeMerit. Torres looks hugely frustrated. Still 1-0 USA.

From Clarkiechelsea on 606: "C'mon the Yanks! Have not seen Spain give the ball away like this for a bit. Iniesta's ability to move it under pressure is obviously being missed."
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2006: Joan Capdevila is shown a yellow card for an unseemly tug on Jozy Altidore's shirt as the powerful frontman threatened to run away from him again. From the free-kick, Clint Dempsey nods wide - it's a free header, too.

2002: Unlike David Villa. Albert Riera's shot is deflected into the striker's path and he manoeuvres a yard of space before blasting right-footed over the US crossbar from 12 yards.

2000: Well, he's only 19 this Jozy Altidore, but he is making a name for himself in South Africa, that's for sure. He belongs to Spanish side Villarreal - ironic, huh? - but spent the second half of last season on loan at Xerez.

Really, really, really nice goal. Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey have a lovely interchange down the US left and he finds Jozy Altidore, who brilliantly and muscularly holds off Joan Capdevila before firing in via the right hand of Iker Casillas, who will be disappointed not to save it. Game very much on now.

GOAL Spain 0-1 USA

From an angry and annoyed Bilal, Lancashire, via text on 81111: "Any calls to ban the vuvuzela are ridiculous! It is part of African culture, and do you have any idea why the World Cup is rotated around the world? Because it is a global game! Why not decide you don't like it and keep it to yourself? English food isn't ranked too highly by the rest of the world, but imagine the outrage if pies and hot dogs were banned from stadiums."
Haha. Legend. You don't have to eat a pie though, do you?

1952: Spain are struggling a little here. Even Xavi's passing isn't quite right and after they give it away again, Landon Donovan lashes another right-foot shot wide from 22 yards.

1948: Spain are getting a little frustrated with the USA offside trap and Fernando Torres is about an inch off again as he tried to collect a Cesc Fabregas pass. We've had 18 minutes, and it's still 0-0.

1946: Apparently the noise is coming from the vuvuzelas, or the stadium horns, as they are known in South Africa. Trust me, by the end of the World Cup, all our ears will be bleeding if this is anything to go by.

From IAMsterdam on 606: "USA are doing the right thing here. Only way to beat Spain is to go for it and be in their face. If you sit back and let them have the ball they'll destroy you in a second. Deny them space and time and you'll have a chance. A small chance, but you never know."
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1942: How did he miss? Cesc Fabregas curls over a cross from the Spanish left, just inside the area, and Fernando Torres arrives at the back post - admittedly under pressure from his marker - and volleys over from a couple of yards.

1940: It's shoot on sight tonight, this time Cesc Fabregas hitting a dipping volley a couple of yards over from a little way outside the penalty area. Whatever happened to passing the ball into the net?

1939: Carlos Bocanegra clips in a cross from the left and that man Charlie Davies gets across his marker to glance a header off target. Moments later, Clint Dempsey arrows a shot a yard wide from just outside the area - and you know what? Spain are wobbling a little here.

1938: Nearly had a stunning goal then - from the Americans. Clint Dempsey swings over a cross from the right and with his back to goal, Charlie Davies performs a brilliant overhead kick that flies a few yards wide. Top-class effort, that.

From Jenni, currently in Donegal, via text on 81111: "Visiting family this week, out and about tonight so not watching, counting on you Stevo! Viva Espana! Going to treat us to a predo?"
My word how remiss of me, Jenni. Spain 3-0 USA - there you go.

1934: BayernUltra on 606 is raging about the blaring horns inside Free State Stadium - and I must agree on this occasion. It's difficult to hear the TV commentary they are making such a racket. And there's little sign of any let up. Jeez.
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1931: Spain allow the US two touches inside the first minute and one of them is a Jay DeMerit clearance after Albert Riera fired over a cross from the left. Spain will have 70% possession tonight, no doubt about it.

1930: USA have their pre-match huddle - let's hope something Churchillian was said - and we are under way.

1928: It's time for football to take centre stage once more. The players are warming up and there's a pretty decent atmosphere inside the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein - one of the venues for next year's World Cup finals. Less than a year to go people, less than a year to go.

1926: Faced with all of that, do USA give themselves a prayer of pulling off an enormous upset tonight? Of course they do. They're Americans. Here's defender Sacha Klejstan: "It's time for Spain to lose one." Is he right? The teams are out and the anthems are being played, so we'll soon find out.

1923: Having been on the periphery of success for so long, Spain are now THE dominant force in world football. They are Euro 2008 champions, ranked number one on earth, haven't been beaten in 35 games and have won their last 15 in a row. The perennial dark horses, Espana are now the hot favourites for next year's World Cup.

1921: Hey by the way, if you do a cheeky little manual refresh, you'll get live video of tonight's game appearing magically at the top of your screen.

From saintex on 606: "Very little chance for my US team tonight. But, maybe, Spain will go back to underperforming - results wise - like they did prior to this massive run. I also agree that the US is horribly boring. We need a manager with some heart. Good luck, you'll need it."
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From James, Chester, via text on 81111: "USA will give Spain a decent go but they surely can't win it... then again the six-goal swing last time was unthinkable. USA! USA! USA!"

Confederations Cup winner Marcel Desailly: "Collectively, Spain are a very strong side, they can drop very quickly when they lose the ball and that allows them to counter-attack teams. What Spain showed in the Euros was great - I don't think they can do any more than that, but they are very stable, they know exactly what they are doing."

1911: Get in touch, any way you can be bothered to. I presume you haven't forgotten the text number? Oh OK then, it's 81111, just in case. And we've kicked things off on 606, too. Non-World Cup/Euro Champs footy live in June - who'd have thought we'd see such a day?
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1907: So, you been enjoying your summer? I'll be honest, I've quite enjoyed a little break from football, though I'm glad it's being so rudely interrupted by the Confed Cup. I'd break off a holiday on a paradise island to watch this Spanish team, and I don't mind admitting so. Andres Iniesta apart, the big guns are here too. Tasty.

1905:Spain v USA line-ups:
Spain: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila; Fabregas, Alonso, Xavi, Riera; Villa, Torres.
USA: Howard; Spector, DeMerit, Onyewu, Bocanegra; Dempsey, Bradley, Clark, Donovan; Davies, Altidore.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).

1900: Well, you didn't think we'd leave you without football all summer long, did you?