The United States turned Group B upside down on Sunday at the Confederations Cup, moving from last place to a spot in the semi-finals ahead of both Italy and Egypt.

The Americans beat African champions Egypt 3-0 in Rustenburg to overtake both them and the Italians, who lost 3-0 to Group B winners Brazil.

Clint Dempsey headed in the in the 71st minute, eight minutes after Michael Bradley had given the Americans hope with a goal in the 63rd.

Charlie Davies also scored, sending a shot from point-blank range into the net off the hand of Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in the 21st minute.

“Big surprise, but we know we are capable of this,” US forward Landon Donovan said. “Good game for us, maybe not the best game for Egypt.”

The US, who advanced on goals scored, nearly had another in the 53rd minute when Hani Said blocked a shot from Jozy Altidore on the goal-line, first with his thigh and then with his arm. Appeals for a penalty went unheeded.

The Americans came into the match after a pair of losses, first to Italy after leading 1-0 and then to Brazil. But, against Egypt, everything seemed to come together as they managed 10 shots on goal.

“We have a way of working on the inside,” US coach Bob Bradley said. “Playing against the top teams is important. It puts everything under a magnifying glass and tells us what we need to do and what we need to do better.”

Egypt, however, looked to be the team that would advance heading into Sunday’s matches.

The African champions nearly held on for a draw with Brazil before losing 4-3 to a last-minute penalty by Kaka, and they then upset Italy 1-0.

But despite their quality play through the first week of the World Cup warm-up tournament, the Egyptians created little on Sunday.

In Pretoria, Luis Fabiano scored a pair of first-half goals for the Brazilians, who have fully recovered from the lacklustre play that gave them the slim win over Egypt in their opening Group B match. The Brazil striker scored in the 37th and 43rd minutes.

Italy defender Andrea Dossena gave Brazil their third with an own-goal in the 45th minute.

“Unfortunately we’re out, and we’re very upset,” Italy coach Marcello Lippi said.

Lippi again tinkered with his starting line-up, this time putting Luca Toni up front between Vicenzo Iaquinta and Mauro Camoranesi. Giuseppe Rossi, who started in the middle against Egypt after scoring twice as a substitute against the US, came off the bench late in the first half on Sunday.

“We’re really still trying to get to know each other,” the American-born Rossi said. “We still have a lot of work to do and we hope we will do well the next time we come back here.”

The US will play in the first semi-final against European champions Spain on Wednesday in Bloemfontein. Five-time world champions Brazil will face hosts South Africa on Thursday in Johannesburg.

© AFP 2012

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