Going into their encounter with Egypt, Bob Bradley's side had yet to pick up a point from their opening two group matches. This meant they needed a six-goal swing in order to qualify, making two from Brazil, Italy and Egypt hot favourites to progress.

The USA, though, confounded the critics to win 3-0 against the Africans, with Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey scoring the third goal, a strike which meant they qualified ahead of Italy on goals scored and Egypt on goal difference. Charlie Davies and the manager's son Michael Bradley had put them 2-0 up.

Italy sat in second place going into their match with Brazil. The South Americans needed just a point to progress having won their first two matches. The Azzurri were blown away by two goals from Luis Fabiano and an own-goal from Liverpool's Andrea Dossena all in the first-half.

Marcello Lippi's side improved after the break and knew that a single goal would have taken them through but they could not break down a stubborn Brazil rearguard despite the best efforts of former Manchester United striker Guiseppe Rossi, as it ended 3-0.

The USA play Spain in the first semi-final on Wednesday and South Africa meet Brazil the following day.