Egypt 0-3 United States

The US qualified for the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup with their victory over Egypt seeing them through to the last four.

The States had lost their two previous games in South Africa and needed a win, a Brazil victory and a six-goal swing over Italy to advance.

And that is exactly what happened as Bob Bradley's men pulled off the unthinkable.

Egypt, who beat Italy last time out and pushed Brazil close in their opener, were second best throughout and had no answer to goals from Charlie Davies, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey.

The win meant the US, Italy and Egypt all finished on three points, well behind Brazil on nine. Egypt's goal difference was minus three, ruling them out, while Italy and the US finished on minus two but the States went through by virtue of scoring one more goal.

Egypt threatened first in Rustenburg, Ahmed Abdelghani finding space on the edge of the area - but his left-foot shot was sliced horribly wide.

After looking lethargic in the early stages, the States then came to life, Bradley lashing in a shot which brought a fine, one-handed save from Egypt keeper and captain Essam El Hadary.

Landon Donovan ought to have done better for the US after 16 minutes when he burst into the box but, instead of testing El Hadary, he opted to cross for Jozy Altidore but the pass was wayward and Egypt cleared.

The Americans took the lead after 21 minutes with El Hadary ruining his earlier good work with a calamitous gaffe.

He spilled Altidore's cross and following a goalmouth scramble, Davies turned the ball back across goal but it struck the prone goalkeeper on the head and went into the net.

Donovan again failed to find an end product when he wriggled through, El Hadary this time emerging with credit by standing firm as the Los Angeles Galaxy forward tried to round him.

Egypt finally offered a threat at the other end after 31 minutes with USA keeper Brad Guzan forced into a fine save to deny Mohamed Aboutrika.

Guzan was beaten seven minutes later by Hosni Abd Rabbou's 30-yard piledriver but the ball clipped the bar on its way over.

The USA appeared to have a valid claim for a penalty after 51 minutes when, following a break led by Oguchi Onyewu, the ball fell for Altidore and his powerful shot was blocked on the line by a combination of Hani Said's leg and arm.

El Hadary was called into action again four minutes later to turn away Bradley's drive from the edge of the box.

The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder, the son of coach Bob, did find the back of the net after 63 minutes, though, slotting home from 12 yards after playing a clever one-two with Donovan.

The States, who qualified for the South Africa tournament by winning the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, added a crucial third after 71 minutes, Fulham's Dempsey nodding in Jonathan Spector's deep cross.

A shell-shocked Egypt side could have saved themselves as one goal would have been enough to see them through but the best they could muster was a late header from Wael Gomaa which flew just over.