An early strike from Clint Dempsey has given the USA a 1-0 half-time lead in their World Cup Group G clash against Ghana.

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The Americans got off to the perfect start and took the lead within 29 seconds of the match. Dempsey received Jermaine Jones's pass, before bursting into the box past John Boye and firing the ball into the far corner.

Jozy Altidore came close to scoring a second when he was picked out in the middle by Fabian Johnson, but saw his close-range effort blocked by Boye.

The Americans were then dealt a blow minutes later as Altidore went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and could not continue.

Ghana gradually fought their way back into the game and Christian Atsu curled a strike over the bar, before Asamoah Gyan saw a long-range effort beaten away by Tim Howard.

Five minutes of added time were played at the end of the half due to a long stoppage to treat Altidore, but Ghana were unable to find the net as they went into the break a goal down.