JOHANNESBURG (AP):

The United States turned Group B upside down yesterday at the Confederations Cup, moving from last place to a spot in the semi-finals ahead of both Italy and Egypt.

The Americans beat African champion Egypt 3-0 in Rustenburg to overtake both the Egyptians and the Italians, who lost to Group B winner Brazil 3-0, in the standings.

Clint Dempsey headed in the deciding goal in the 71st minute, eight minutes after Michael Bradley gave the Americans hope with a goal in the 63rd. Charlie Davies also scored, sending a shot from point-blank range into the net off the hand of Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in the 21st.

Good game

"Big surprise, but we know we are capable of this," United States forward Landon Donovan said. "Good game for us, maybe not the best game for Egypt."

The United States nearly had another goal in the 53rd when Hani Said blocked a shot on the goal line from Jozy Altidore first with his thigh and then with his arm. Appeals for a penalty went unheeded.

The Americans came into the match after a pair of losses, first to Italy after leading 1-0 and then to Brazil. But against Egypt, everything seemed to come together as they managed 10 shots on goal.

Egypt, however, looked to be the team that would advance heading into yesterday's matches. The African champions nearly held on for a draw with Brazil before losing 4-3 to a last-minute penalty by Kaka and they then upset Italy 1-0.

But despite their quality play through the first week of the World Cup warm-up tournament, the Egyptians created little yesterday.

In Pretoria, Luis Fabiano scored a pair of first-half goals for the Brazilians, who have fully recovered from the lacklustre play that gave them the slim win over Egypt in their opening Group B match. The Brazil striker scored in the 37th and 43rd minutes.

"I'm very happy for having scored and with the match Brazil played," Luis Fabiano said. "It comes from a lot of effort and a lot of work."

Italy defender Andrea Dossena gave Brazil its third with an own-goal in the 45th.

"We're really still trying to get to know each other," said Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi, who came off the bench late in the first half. "We still have a lot of work to do and we hope we will do well the next time we come back here."

Semi-final match

The United States will play in the first semi-final match against European champion Spain on Wednesday in Bloemfontein. Five-time world champion Brazil will face host South Africa on Thursday in Johannesburg.

"Now a very difficult game," Donovan said. "Very big match, difficult, but we have nothing to lose."

South Africa managed to advance to the semi-finals on Saturday despite losing to Group A winner Spain 2-0, because Iraq were a held to a 0-0 draw by New Zealand.

The final is set for June 28 in Johannesburg.