Clint Dempsey scored late in the second half and the United States held on to beat Cuba 1-0 in a sloppy and low-energy World Cup qualifier Saturday night, their first match on the communist-run island since 1947. Half of the lights at rain-soaked Pedro Marrero Stadium went out in the 86th minute, causing a brief delay before the final minutes, when which Cuba nearly tied it after a free kick.

France was upset by Austria 3-1 in its opening World Cup qualifier, months after Les Bleus were bounced from the European Championship without winning a game. Two first-half goals from free kicks and a penalty after the break was more than enough for Austria which took a 2-0 lead into the half and was never really threatened.