US score first-ever victory over Brazil

LOS ANGELES, February 11: The United States beat Brazil 1-0 here to claim their first victory over the South American powerhouse ever in the...

LOS ANGELES, February 11: The United States beat Brazil 1-0 here to claim their first victory over the South American powerhouse ever in the semi-final of the Concacaf Gold Cup. The goal was scored by Preki Radosavijevic in the 64th minute, when he collected the ball on the edge of the area and slotted into ‘keeper Taffarel’s goal.

Early in the first half, Ze Maria’s fierce shot stretched Keller to his limit. Then in the 31st, Romario squandered a chance when he failed to control the ball inside the area.

Throughout the first half, Edmundo was inspirational for Brazil, teasing US defenders. But his skills weren’t enough to open the scoring.Keller’s performance was crucial for the United States, as he smothered everything the Brazilians fired at him.

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That paved the way for the first US victory over Brazil in eight meetings between the two. In those matches, Brazil had outscored the United States 23-3, and the South American powerhouse had not allowed a goal to the US since recording a 4-3 victory in afriendly in 1930.

The last three games between the sides were 1-0 wins for Brazil, which beat the United States in 1996, and in the Copa America semi-finals in 1995 and eliminated the host nation form the 1994 World Cup in the second round.