The Algeria coach, Rabah Saâdane, insists his side have no need to fear the USA tomorrow having already given England a footballing lesson. Although they failed to score and have only that single point from their first two games, Algeria have taken great confidence from their display last Friday and believe they can create history by qualifying for the last 16.

"It has made us more confident," Saâdane said. "The World Cup is teaching us lessons every day, and although we were low on confidence at first now we feel we can play another great game. That result has given us all hope.

"We trust in ourselves now, we are looking to bring more efficiency to our attack, and we have the means to write Algerian football history. In the beginning England were the favourites for this group, but now everyone is in the same boat. Of course we will need the result to go our way in the other match but we cannot afford to think of that, we have to count on ourselves."

• Follow the Guardian's World Cup team on Twitter• Sign up to play our great Fantasy Football game• Stats centre: Get the lowdown on every player• The latest team-by-team news, features and moreSaâdane was speaking shortly after France's exit from the tournament, and was asked whether Algeria felt any extra pressure as a former colony. "We are already representing Africa and the Arabic world," he said, with a smile. "That's enough responsibility for anyone. We don't need any more."

The USA are determined to put history behind them and advance into the knockout stage, refusing to let their controversially disallowed winner against Slovenia upset their preparation. "All we need to do to qualify is go out and win our final game," their coach, Bob Bradley, said. "That is all we are concentrating on at the moment and that is all we need to concentrate on. We played a very good second half against Slovenia, regardless of the final result, and if we take that momentum into the game against Algeria we have a great chance."

Jozy Altidore missed training yesterday but should be available for the final group game. "He wasn't feeling well, but I think he'll be fine for the match," Bradley said.

The USA have two points from two games so far, the same as England, and there is a faint possibility that two more draws today would see lots being drawn to settle second place in the group (England would have to draw 2-2 and USA 0-0, or similar permutations) though both Bradley and his captain, Carlos Bocanegra, believe they can avoid that fate by winning the game.

Apart from the disappointment of having Maurice Edu's seemingly good goal against Slovenia chalked off, both can remember the USA's miserable experience in Germany four years ago, when they finished bottom of their group with one point, and that courtesy of an own goal from Italy.

"I wouldn't say that is extra motivation, but it is there at the back of all our minds," Bocanegra said. "We know now that you can spend years working to get to a World Cup and then preparing for it, only for the tournament itself to flash by very quickly if you are not careful.

"Last time we needed some help from others in our final game, and we all know what happened. This time its in our hands, we just need to win. We know what is at stake.

"Football is getting bigger in the US all the time and this is a game that could make reputations. Algeria are an athletic and technically gifted side, but we have a great chance of advancing and we intend to take it."