Landon Donovan was bursting with pride following his winning goal for the USA against Algeria in their Group C showdown.
The LA Galaxy striker burst into the box to capitalize on a Clint Dempsey effort that was saved by Algerian keeper Rais M'Bohli to send his side into the last 16 of the World Cup, where it will face Ghana on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET), courtesy of the 91st-minute winner.
The 28-year-old, long considered to be America's 'golden boy' of the game, was on the spot at exactly the right moment to write an ending akin to that of a Hollywood movie, after it was looking like the end of the road for Bob Bradley's side.
The US, however, are made of strong stuff, defying the odds yet again as they did in the Confederations Cup in 2009 to reach the final, and coming from two goals down to draw with Slovenia in their previous game in the tournament.
Bradley's side proved yet again that they had the stomach for the fight, with Donovan's winner epitomizing everything about the spirit of the team and the California-born forward was almost speechless following the final whistle.
"I've been on a long journey for the last four years and I'm just shocked and so proud of our guys. Unbelievable," Donovan said.
"They were pushing a lot to try to score, we had to take some risks, our guys at the back did a great job.
"I got the ball, got it to Jozy (Altidore) who made a good run, Clint (Dempsey) made a good run in the middle and the ball fell to me.
"Time kind of stopped and you can't miss from there.
"People that know me closest know how hard I've worked for this moment. This is unbelievable. I know people back home are watching...we're not done yet."
Luck did not appear to be on their side after the USA saw two seemingly legitimate goals ruled out, firstly with Maurice Edu's effort in the 2-2 draw with Slovenia and Clint Dempsey's first-half strike in Wednesday's game in Pretoria.
Donovan, however, praised his team's spirit, hailing their ability to get on with the game and earn their reward.
"Like I said last week we embody what Americans are about," an emotional Donovan added.
"We aren't done yet. We had a bad decision against Slovenia, but we are Americans. We get on with it, we don't complain.
"And we believe...we're alive."
