Yes We Can! America stun the Spaniards to reach the Confederation Cup final

Spain 0 - United States 2 (Confederations Cup semi-final, June 24, 2009) (BBC highlights & analysis here.) Despite all the pre-match hype in Spain’s favour It was the United States who made the early running in the semi-final, Charlie Davies sending an overhead volley narrowly wide after six minutes. Two minutes later Clint Dempsey saw his shot drift inches wide of Casillas’ post.

After 26 minutes the Americans got their just deserves for dominating the game, Dempsey freed Jozy Altidore behind the Spanish backline and the powerful striker raced down on goal before rifling a low shot which Casillas found too hot to handle. (First half highlights here.)

The Spanish stepped up the tempo in the second half without finding the equaliser, and they were made to pay when America double their lead after both Pique and Sergio Ramos failed to cut out a Donovan cross and Clint Dempsey claimed the unbelievable second.

The victory was slightly tarnished by Michael Bradley’s late (harsh?) sending off, but the Americans nevertheless stunned the European Champions to end their 35-unbeaten streak.

Rosenborg 1 - Stabaek 0 (Tippeligaen, June 24, 2009) Rosenborg’s Per Ciljan Skjelbred scored after 16 minutes to keep the league leaders a massive 10 points clear in Norway.

Fredrikstad 2 - Lyn 1 (Tippeligaen, June 24, 2009) Davy Claude Angan fired Lyn ahead in the 39th minute, but Fredrikstad turned the match around after the break as Celso Borges and Everton scored for the hosts.

Nagoya Grampus Eight 2 - Suwon Bluewings 1 (Asian Champions League, June 24, 2009) Yoshizumi Ogawa fired Nagoya into a first half lead scoring from a Davi pass in the 22nd minute. Keiji Tamada doubled the advantage in the 66th minute with a powerful left-footed drive from 15-yards, while Edu pulled one back for Suwon in the 69th minute but the visitors fell short of finding an equaliser. Nagoya advance to the semi-finals.

Kashima Antlers 2 - FC Seoul 2* (Pens. 4-5) (Asian Champions League, June 24, 2009) Kashima led from the fifth minute when Shinzo Kuroki scored, but Lee Seung-ryul equalised in the 22nd when he latched onto a loose ball in the area. It was a similar story after the break as Takeshi Aoki restored Kashima’s advantage with a header from a corner early in the second half, but Ki Sung-yong pulled the visitors’ even with a 30-yard free-kick in the 78th minute. The match went to penalties where Park Yong-ho scored the winner after a lengthy and dramatic shootout.