DELIGHTED captain Paul McGinley has hailed Europe's stunning fightback in the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

But the Irishman warned his players the United States will be desperate to haul themselves back into the match in Perthshire today.

McGinley's side finished the morning fourball matches against Tom Watson's team at the PGA Centenary Course trailing by 2.5-1.5.

But a stunning afternoon display saw them win three and halve one of the four foursomes ties to storm 5-3 in front.

The skipper said: "We've seen in Ryder Cups over the years how important momentum switches are. They can have a domino effect. For our players to react as well as they did in the afternoon matches shows the strength of character they have.

"It was a great day for us. But we have to take stock now. We have another big day ahead of us tomorrow and we have to be ready for it.

"The Americans will not lie down. They will come out fighting and we will have to be prepared for that."

Europe's star pairing of Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy were partly to blame for the visitors edging ahead in the morning. The world No.3 and world No.1 had been one hole up against Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson with three holes to play.

But they lost the 16th hole to a Bradley eagle and the 18th to a Mickelson birdie to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Spaniard and the Irishman, though, made amends for that and then some in the foursomes against Ricky Fowler and Jimmy Walker. They birdied the final three holes - and won the 17th and 18th - to earn a crucial half a point for their side. McGinley said: "It was massive. It was as good as a point."

Garcia hit an incredible five wood on to the green at the par five final hole from behind a tree and out of the rough to send the crowd wild.

McIlroy said: "We needed it, we really did. We were making life difficult for ourselves. But we were three under-par for the last three holes.

"We at least wanted to ask them a question and we did that. Fortunately, Sergio hit the shot of the day."

Garcia said: "It was nice - finally! I was able to hit a great five wood. half a point is huge."

Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood defeated Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar by two holes in the foursomes. Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell edged out Bradley and Mickelson by 3 and 2.

And Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson dovetailed superbly to win two points out of a possible two. They thrashed Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 5 and 4 in the morning and then beat Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson 2 and 1 in the afternoon.