Spain 0 - USA 2

TIM HOWARD’S USA will contest the Confederations Cup final after causing a huge upset in Bloemfontein last night by inflicting a first defeat on Spain – which contained Liverpool trio Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Albert Riera – since 2006.

Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey scored the goals as underdogs USA, having lost their opening two games in the tournament and only squeezed through Group B by the skin of their teeth, set up a final showdown against either Brazil or hosts South Africa on Sunday thanks to an inspired goalkeeping performance by Everton’s Howard.

The result was one of the biggest shocks in recent international history, with the all- conquering Spanish having broken the record for consecutive wins with their 15th on the trot against South Africa at the weekend.

The European champions would also have claimed the record for the longest unbeaten run if they had avoided defeat, having drawn level with Brazil’s run of 35 in that South Africa match.

Even the 86th-minute dismissal of Michael Bradley – son of coach Bob – could not deny the USA, who were left to celebrate a famous victory.

The Americans started brightly and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas found his goal under threat from Altidore and Charlie Davies early on.

Davies’ then threatened again with a glancing header across the face of goal, and when Dempsey drilled a 25-yard shot just wide in the eighth minute, the Spanish must have wondered what was going on.

The world’s top-ranked side did not take long to fashion some chances of their own though.

Cesc Fabregas sent a dipping shot over the bar and then the Arsenal captain threaded over a superb cross that Fernando Torres was just unable to convert at the far post.