Ghana suffer a late goal agony as they lose 2-1 to the United States in the opening FIFA World Cup Group G contest in Natal on Monday night.
After 84 minutes, captivated by end-to-end action at the Estadio das Arena dominated, either side were up a goal apiece, but substitute John Brooks snatched all the points for the Americans when he nodded in a corner kick a minute later to hand them their first ever win against Ghana.
Andre Ayew scored the equaliser for Ghana in the 83rd minute after the U.S had taken a first minute lead through Clint Dempsey.
The Black Stars will count themselves unlucky not to have at least earned a share of the spoils as they showed great quality having created the game's best chances in both halves with Tim Howard been kept busy throughout the game.
However, finishing up in the final-third denied the Black Stars.
Kwesi Appiah's side will have a go again when they take on group leaders, Germany on Saturday in Fortaleza as the chase of qualification places continues.
United States were quick to attack from the blast of the whistle as Dempsey found space to dribble into the box and with Daniel Opare, John Boye and Jonathan Mensah all committed, he side-footed the ball to the far corner of Adam Kwarasey's goal.
That stunning strike did not quench Ghana's hunger to fight back but chance after chance, the Black Stars were unable to break their opponents down.
The U.S. retreated into their half, as they focused on holding the Ghana attack in check. Captain Asamoah Gyan, Christian Atsu and Sulley Muntari all came close to finding the target.
Ghana begun the second half just like the concluded the opening 45 minutes with Kwadwo Asamoah attacking from his defensive position down the left.
Soon, Ghana's first change was made with Kevin Prince Boateng taking over from Jordan Ayew.
Michael Essien was the next substitute to join the fray as he came on for Rabiu Mohammed with Ghana mounting the pressure for the equaliser. Albert Adomah also followed in place of Atsu.
Finally, the hardwork paid off as Gyan beautifully back-heeled the ball into the path of Ayew, who with the outside of the left foot directed it past Howard for the equaliser.
It looked like the spur needed for Ghana's winner to arrive but a corner kick conceded allowed the Americans to jump back in front when Brooks, unmarked directed his header into goal with five minutes remaining to end the game.
Though the defeat will be a setback to Ghana's hopes of getting off to a winning start, their attacking pace and flair will certainly give Appiah some positives as they reorganize for the game against the Germans.
Ghana Line up
Adam Kwarasey, Daniel Opare, Kwadwo Asamoah, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, Rabiu Mohammed/Michael Essien, Christian Atsu/Albert Adomah, Sulley Muntari, Jordan Ayew/Kevin Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew.