Clint Dempsey put the United States ahead in the 40th minute, but Fabian Johnson pulled down Carlos Ruiz just outside the penalty area to set up the late free kick in a dangerous position. Pappa, a Chicago Fire midfielder, put a 24-yard shot just under the crossbar that froze goalkeeper Tim Howard.

It was a disappointing result for the 28th-ranked Americans, who failed for long stretches to impose their will against 85th-ranked Guatemala, a team that has never qualified for the World Cup.

Seeking its seventh straight appearance in soccer’s showcase, the US (1-0-1) tops Group A of North and Central America and the Caribbean on goal difference over Jamaica (1-0-1), which tied 0-0 tie at Antigua and Barbuda. Guatemala (0-1-1) is last with one point.

The top two teams advance to next year’s six-nation regional finals, which will produce three qualifiers for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Czech Republic 2, Greece 1 - Petr Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar scored in the first six minutes to give the Czech Republic a win over Greece at the European Championship in Wroclaw, Poland.

Jiracek shot the ball past Greece goalkeeper Costas Chalkias in the third minute. Three minutes later, Pilar scored his second goal of the tournament beating Greek defenders to a ball.

Russia 1, Poland 1 - Alan Dzagoev scored his third goal of the European Championship and Jakub Blaszczykowski tied it in the second half as Russia and Poland played to a draw in Warsaw.

The match was marred before kickoff by fighting between hooligans from both countries, leaving several people injured as thousands of Russian fans marched to celebrate the Russia Day national holiday.