Jozy Altidore celebrates his first-half goal. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)

Three days after producing a miracle to reach the semifinals of the FIFA Confederations Cup, the United States soccer team pulled off another.

Teenager Jozy Altidore scored midway into the first half and Clint Dempsey supplied the dagger late in the second to give the U.S. a stunning 2-0 win Wednesday that halted Spain's 35-game unbeaten run and sent the upstart Americans into the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Spain's loss in Bloemfontein also ended a record 15-game winning streak for the world's top-ranked team, which failed to snap a tie with Brazil (1993-96) for the longest unbeaten string in history.

"We're not used to losing," Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said. "We lacked a little of our usual touch. We played a very difficult rival who took us head-on."

After scoring one of the biggest wins in its country's soccer history, the 14th-ranked U.S. team suddenly finds itself on a remarkable run of its own.

Written off after dropping their opening two games in South Africa, the Americans beat Egypt 3-0 in Saturday's finale of the group stage to earn an improbable berth in the semis after World Cup champion Italy lost to Brazil by the same score.

On Wednesday the U.S. overcame a furious Spanish attack that produced a 19-8 advantage in shots and pressed the action for most of the match. But the American defence held off their more talented foes even after being forced to play a man down when midfielder Michael Bradley was red-carded in the 87th minute.

"I can't explain it anymore than you can," U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said after stopping all eight shots that found his net. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."

The Americans now advance to Sunday's final in Johannesburg (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 2:30 p.m. ET) to meet the winner of Thursday's semifinal between Brazil and South Africa (CBCSports.ca, CBC-Bold, 2:25 p.m. ET).

European flair

Spain had come into the semifinals looking like a force of nature. With star forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres leading the way, La Furia Roja tore through Group A with an 8-0 scoring margin in victories over New Zealand, Iraq and host South Africa.

The U.S. was outscored by a combined 5-1 in defeats to Italy and Brazil before coming back to thump Egypt and sneak into the knockout round when Italy failed to show up against Brazil.

It was the Americans, though, that came out flying in the semifinal. With captain Carlos Bocanegra back in the starting lineup at central defence after missing the first three games with a hamstring injury, the U.S. put a scare into Spain right away.

Considered a workmanlike side, the Americans flashed some European flare in the seventh minute when Charlie Davies sent a bicycle kick wide of the net in the seventh minute. Two minutes later, Dempsey rolled one just wide of the left post from 20 yards out.

Those were signs of things to come, as Altidore opened the scoring in the 27th minute.

The much-feted 19-year-old forward shook off a defender and blasted a shot at Iker Casillas, who got a piece of it with his hand but not enough to prevent the first goal allowed by Spain in the tournament.

Altidore makes presence felt

Altidore celebrated by doffing his jersey to reveal a long-sleeved white undershirt, and was promptly yellow-carded.

The teen continued to make an impact, drawing a yellow card on Capdevila that led to a chance on a free kick in the 37th minute. Dempsey got open on Landon Donovan's delivery, but was off target on the header.

Spain had looked ready to strike back in the 32nd minute when Villa's shot from close range sailed over the net. It was perhaps the best chance for the Valencia forward, who fired nine shots in the match.

Torres later embarked on a dazzling dash to the goal, pretzelling defender Carlos Bocanegra before trying to squeeze the ball inside the right post, but Howard's boot blocked the attempt.

When the teams came out for the second half, Spain looked desperate to avoid the upset. The Red Fury drummed up several early scoring chances, with Villa alone putting four shots on target in the first 11 minutes.

But the U.S. survived the onslaught, setting up Dempsey's insurance marker with 16 minutes left. When Sergio Ramos failed to clear a deflected Donovan cross in front of the Spanish net, the Man of the Match picked the defender's pocket and swept the ball home.