TIANJIN, China — Gerald Sibon scored on a free kick in the third minute of injury time Sunday to salvage a 2-2 tie for the Netherlands against the United States and keep alive Dutch hopes of advancing in the Olympic soccer tournament.

The Americans were within seconds of clinching a quarterfinal berth until Sibon's low drive from 25 meters eluded goalkeeper Brad Guzan and sent the Dutch to their final game against winless Japan. The Americans are tied with Nigeria atop Group B with four points each, two more than the Netherlands. Only two teams advance from each group.

Ryan Babel gave the Dutch the lead in the 16th minute after the Netherlands exploited the right side of the American defense three times with dangerous crosses.

Jonathan de Guzman got down the side and Babel leapt to meet his cross, striking a header that Guzan blocked with his feet. But the rebound came right back to Babel, who lunged with his right foot to put the ball into the roof of the net.

The Americans then adjusted, rotating their offensive midfield to move Robbie Rogers from the left to the opposite side of the field, and sliding Stuart Holden to the middle and Freddy Adu wide right.

The change worked, ending the charge down the left side and enabling the United States to create some chances of its own. Adu twice looked dangerous in the next 20 minutes, shooting high after a dribble from midfield and drawing a tactical foul from Jaliens just outside the 18.

American Sacha Klejstan tied it in the 64th minute, running onto a through ball from Adu, touching inside and turning defender Kew Jaliens before driving a right-footed blast past Dutch keeper Kenneth Vermeer.

Eight minutes later, with the Americans pressing again, the ball squirted wide left to defender Michael Orozco, who drove it back across the penalty area where Jozy Altidore knocked it in with his right knee to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute

The Americans face the Nigerians on Wednesday in the final group game for both, but they will be without Adu and defensive midfielder Michael Bradley, both of whom drew a second yellow card in two games.