A fumble by goalkeeper Robert Green gifted the USA an equalizer as England struggled to a disappointing 1 1 draw in their opening Group C game this morning.

The 29 year old goalkeeper failed to stop a shot by Clint Dempsey after 40 minutes and the ball slipped from his grasp and dribbled across the line after captain Steven Gerrard had put England ahead in the fourth minute.

England made a dream start and took the lead after only four minutes when, from a Glen Johnson throw on the right, Frank Lampard switched the ball infield to Emile Heskey whose angled pass found Gerrard running into space.

A low shot with the outside of his right foot from 10 metres gave Tim Howard no chance and Gerrard his 17th goal for England on his debut as their World Cup captain.

In other results, South Korea defeated Greece 2-nil and Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0.

Coming up tonight at 11.30pm, Algeria faces Slovenia.

Tomorrow at 2am, Ghana play Serbia and Australia takes on Germany at 6.30am.