<Tr> <Th> Referee </Th> <Td> Generoso Dattilo (Italy) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Attendance </Th> <Td> 10,151 (official) 13,000 (reported) </Td> </Tr> <P> The United States defeated England 1--0 on 29 June 1950, in a group match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup at Estádio Independência in Belo Horizonte, Brazil . The result is notable as one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history . </P> <P> Before the game, England were heavy favorites against a hastily assembled U.S. team, which was composed of part - time players . The game's only goal was scored by the U.S.'s Haitian - born center forward Joe Gaetjens . This game and the U.S. team were profiled by author Geoffrey Douglas in his book The Game of Their Lives, which was made into a film of the same name (later renamed The Miracle Match). </P>

When did us beat england in world cup