Ghana vs USA
Team U.S.A celebrate during the 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match between Ghana and the U.S. at the Dunas arenaReuters

USA just managed to edge Ghana 2-1 in their opening World Cup Group G fixture thanks to a very late goal from John Brooks.

The Americans got to a flying start, as they broke the deadlock in the very first minute of the game. Jermaine Jones picked up Clint Dempsey near the box and USA captain raced forward before firing the ball past John Boye.

Jozy Altidore came close to increasing USA's lead in the 7th minute, when he was picked up by Alejandro Bedoya in the middle of the box. However, the USA's close range effort was kept out by Boye.

Altidore's evening came to a premature end after he was forced off the pitch with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Aron Jóhannsson in the 23rd minute.

Taking advantage of USA's momentarily lapse in concentration, Ghana managed to create a couple of chances in the latter stages of the first half. While Christian Atsu curled an effort over the crossbar, Asamoah Gyan tested Tim Howard with an excellent long range effort.

With only ten minutes into the second half, Ghana got their best chance of the game after Sulley Muntari found some space to take a shot from 25 yards. The midfielder fired a good strike but the ball just swung wide of the post at the last moment.

Moments later Ghana came even closer to getting the equaliser through Gyan. Muntari whipped a cross into the box and Gyan connected with a powerful header. But his effort contained too much power as the ball sailed over the crossbar.

Again and again Ghana kept on testing USA's defences mainly through Gyan, who saw two more of his efforts narrowly miss the target. While his first effort was tipped wide by Howard, his second one was narrowly deflected off the crossbar.

The African side finally equalised in the 82th minute through Andre Ayew. Gyan was again in the thick of action as he back heeled the ball towards Ayew, who made no mistakes as he fired the ball past Howard.

However, Ghana's joy was shortlived as the American's grabbed the winner right at the death through Brooks, who powered home a header from a Graham Zusi corner.

Check out the highlights of the game below:

Ghana vs USA
Dempsey of the U.S. scores against Ghana during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arena in NatalReuters
Ghana vs USA
Clint Dempsey of the U.S. celebrates after scoring their first goal during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match against Ghana at the Dunas arena in NataReuters
Ghana vs USA
Jermaine Jones of the U.S. jumps for the ball against Ghana's Daniel Opare during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arena in NatalReuters
Ghana vs USA
Ghana's Andre Ayew fights for the ball with Alejandro Bedoya of the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arenaReuters
Ghana vs USA
Ghana's Muntari fights for the ball with Bradley and Beckerman of the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arena in NatalReuters
Ghana vs USA
Ghana's Jordan Ayew jumps for the ball with goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arena in NatalReuters
Ghana vs USA
Bradley of the U.S. fights for the ball with Ghana's Ayew during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arena in NatalReuters
Ghana vs USA
Cameron of the U.S. fights for the ball with Ghana's Ayew, while goalkeeper Howard of the U.S. makes a save, during World Cup Group G soccer match at Dunas arenaReuters
Ghana vs USA
Ghana's Ayew scores the equaliser against the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arena in NatalReuters
Ghana vs USA
Brooks of the U.S. heads the ball to score a goal against Ghana during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Dunas arena in NatalReuters
Ghana vs USA
John Brooks of the U.S. celebrates after scoring a goal during World Cup Group G soccer match between Ghana and the U.S. at the Dunas arenaReuters