UPDATE 1-Soccer-U.S. defy odds to clinch semi-final place

* U.S. reach semis against all the odds

* Climb from bottom of the standings

* Crowd seemingly oblivious of potential outcomes

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By Mark Gleeson

RUSTENBURG, June 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. came from a near impossible position to claim a Confederations Cup semi-final berth on Sunday, hammering Egypt 3-0 and profiting from an equally heavy defeat for Italy at the end of the group matches.

In a dramatic finale to Group B, the U.S. went through in second place on more goals scored than world champions Italy, who lost 3-0 to Brazil in Pretoria.

The U.S. finished with a goal difference of minus two along with the Italians but scored four goals in the group to Italy's three.