Nuremberg, Germany (My Sportsbook) - A penalty kick in extra time in the first half proved the deciding factor, as Ghana managed a 2-1 victory on Thursday, just enough to eliminate the U.S. from a spot in the Round of 16.

For Ghana, a place in the next round awaits, as the team needed a victory to secure life beyond the group stages. With the win, Ghana finishes the group stages in the second spot behind Italy.

Facing a 1-1 score headed into the half, Stephen Appiah drilled a penalty kick just below the crossbar and in to take a 2-1 lead over the U.S. seconds before the close of the half. The penalty kick was awarded after U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu was called for a foul on Razak Pimpong inside of the box.

"The call at the end of the half and the penalty is big," head coach Bruce Arena said in a post-match press conference.

For the U.S., the team has struggled when trailing at the half, with a 2-16-2 record.

To open the match, the U.S. took quick control of the ball to pressure the Ghana net. But it would be Ghana to strike first, with a goal in the 22nd minute from Haminu Draman.

With the U.S. backed into its own penalty box, Claudio Reyna attempted to clear the ball, but was stopped by Draman, who challenged the midfielder and came away with the ball just outside of the penalty box. On a quick breakaway, Draman drilled a low shot to the right side past the hands of Kasey Keller to give Ghana the 1-0 lead.

Following the challenge, Reyna appeared to be injured, and briefly left the field but returned minutes later. However, the captain would eventually leave the match, as the U.S. went to its bench for the first time, bringing in Ben Olsen in the in the 40th minute.

Facing the one goal deficit, the U.S. attempted to find scoring opportunities, but came up short each time, struggling to match up with Ghana's ball possession.

But with the second half winding down, the U.S. would find the crucial equalizer courtesy of a strike from Clint Dempsey in the 43rd minute.

On the attack, DaMarcus Beasley sent a solid cross to Dempsey from the right side. Dempsey, who met the ball near the far post inside of the box, sent a low shot past goalkeeper Richard Kingson to bring the teams even at a goal each.

The goal was the first of the tournament for the U.S.

With the score locked at 1-1 in extra time, the U.S. made a crucial mistake, allowing Ghana to take the 2-1 lead on a converted penalty kick from Appiah.

Seconds away from the half time whistle, Pimpong was fouled by Onyewu inside of the penalty box. Despite the team's protest, the penalty kick was awarded, with Appiah set to take the kick, which was drilled to the top of the net just below the crossbar and in for the 2-1 lead.

Overall, the half ended with the U.S. and Ghana taking two shots on goal each.

Entering the second half, Arena opted not to make any changes to his lineup.

In the 54th minute, Keller kept the one goal deficit, making a great save with a dive to his left to keep the U.S. in the match.

The U.S. nearly scored the equalizer 11 minutes later, when Brian McBride knocked a header off the near post.

The U.S. continued to pressure, but failed to find the equalizer or the game- winner, finishing the 90 minutes with the loss and a trip home earlier than it would have liked from the World Cup.