Spain: 0 - United States: 2.

I'm sure that most Americans pay almost no attention to football, or soccer as they insist on calling it, but yesterday the US stunned the football world when they knocked the European champions Spain out of the Confederations cup.

Both of the US goals came from Spanish defensive mistakes, but, nevertheless, it was impossible to watch the game and say that the American victory was undeserved.

They won it fair and square.

The United States will contest the Confederations Cup final after causing a huge upset in Bloemfontein last night by inflicting Spain's first defeat since 2006. Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey scored the goals as the US, 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 South Africa on Sunday.

The result was one of the biggest shocks in recent international history, with the 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 last night, having drawn level with Brazil's run of 35.

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

I really hope American readers understand the sheer scale of this recent US achievement. A few nights ago the US needed a miracle to even get through the group stages of this competition and - by a six goal swing - the miracle was achieved.

I switched on last night knowing that Spain were going to devastate the US and quickly realised that the Americans were not going to go along with that game plan.

They played with gusto and heart and thoroughly deserved their victory.

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Tags: Confederations cup, United States, Spain