Belgium 2-1 USA
(after extra time)
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Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador – Attendence 51,227
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Referee – Djamel Haimoudi
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Belgium goal – De Bruyne (93) Lukaku (104)
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USA goal – Green (106)
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Bookings – Kompany, Cameron
In what was the third game in to require extra time in the round of sixteen, we saw a much more exciting version of a goalless draw than the earlier game of the day.
Belgium met the United States on a ground which has seen twenty one goals scored in the four games it has hosted already including the Netherlands demolition of Spain.
Jurgen Klinsman’s USA side have surprised many by getting out of the group ahead of much favoured Portugal and went in to this one as the underdogs. Marc Willmotts Belgium side are still under immense pressure to do well in this World Cup, having won all three group games the Red Devils have not been entirely convincing in qualifying with some players not really showing their full potential.
The Belgians looked to go ahead early as within forty seconds Kevin De Bruyne could have given his side the lead but was denied by a great save from Everton keeper Tim Howard. End to end stuff saw chances for both sides but great goalkeeping from Courtois and Howard made it difficult to pick a winner from the two.
The USA were forced to make an early change as Bayer Leverkusen’s Fabian Johnson was replaced by Yedlin of the Seattle Sounders. A straight swap at left back which proved to be a positive change for the Americans as he provided an attacking threat from the get go.
The second half started fairly slowly with the sides returning to the pitch unchanged. The first chance fell to Belgium as Hazard blasted a shot just wide of Tim Howard’s far post.
The game came to life again with one substitute for each side as Mirallas replaced Mertens and Wondolowski replaced Zusi. The changes provided some energy to the teams with extra time looming in the back of both manager’s minds. The deadlock remained and extra time was required in what was an already enthralling game which was about to get better.
Career loan striker Romelu Lukaku was introduced in place if young Lille striker Divock Origi which, as Marc Willmott’s has done before in this tournament, his substitutes turns games. A ball from Vertonghen found Lukaku who showed tremendous strength to shake of his defender and slip the ball to De Bruyne. He turned and finally, two minutes into extra time, was able to break the rock solid wall that is Tim Howard.
Belgium kept up the pressure and were rewarded again when this time De Bruyne found Lukaku and punished the USA for being dead on their feet by netting his first goal which looked to have sealed the game.
Klinsmann’s American side would not go down fighting. Young Bayern Munich midfielder Julian Green was introduced to the action and with his first touch scored an impressive volley to give them a glimmer of hope. They began throwing everything at a Belgium side who had completely lost control of the game, with a place in the quarter finals in Brasilia against Argentina on Friday going to the winner.
Tired legs soon told and the Belgians were just able to hold on, in what has been the most exciting game of an exhilarating World Cup so far.
