Johnson is still running well at 35

The former Olympic champion, 35, won in 12.96 seconds, his quickest time this season and just 0.04secs off the personal best he set 10 years ago.

Liu clocked 13.03 in second, while American Wallace Spearmon won the 200m in a personal best of 19.87 secs.

But the USA had to settle for second behind Europe in the men's event, while Russia defended the women's crown.

Europe's only previous title came in 1981, but they pipped the Americans by four points with Africa, winner of the last four titles, third.

There was another upset in the 3,000m when Australia's Craig Mottram held off Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, the world record holder at 5,000m and 10,000m, over the last two laps to win in seven minutes 32.10secs.

Qatar-based Saif Saaeed Shaheen, running for Asia, produced a spectacular finish to add the 3,000m steeplechase title to the 5,000m he won on Saturday, outsprinting Kenyan Paul Kipsiele Koech by just 0.28 secs.

American Sanya Richards also completed a double when she won the 200m in 22.23, beating Belgium's European champion Kim Gevaert, who oclocked 22.72.

Richards had broken the 22-year-old American record when she won the 400m on Saturday in 48.70.

Victory in each event was worth nine points, with the runner-up receiving eight down to one point for the ninth-place finisher.

IAAF World Cup, Athens, 16-17 September, final standings:

Men's standings after 20 events: 1 Europe 140pts, 2 United States 136, 3 Africa 116, 4 Asia 110, 5 Americas 104, 6 Russia 89, 7 France 79, 8 Oceania 78, 9 Greece 44

Women's standings after 20 events:1 Russia 137, 2 Europe 128, 3 Americas 117pts, 4 United States 101, 5 Poland 97, 6 Africa 96.5, 7 Asia 85.5, 8 Oceania 73, 9 Greece 60.5