Belgium ousts US in overtime

It was a very bustling game that saw Belgium beat the United States 2-1 in the late afternoon on Tuesday (July 1st) at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador. The game began even but it was a matter of time before Belgium began to stand out in the game and eventually win in spite of several misses.

The tone was set in the very first half with Belgium having more ball possession and dictating the pace. But despite the stronger offensives on their side, the first half ended up scoreless and balanced.

On eight minutes of the second half, Belgium had a very near miss. Vertonghen crossed from the left and the ball went across the area and past Howard and two US defenders, and on past Belgium's De Bruyne and Origi, who failed to turn home. There were several other opportunities where the US seemed to see it coming, but it still would not. The game was getting ever better leaving the crowd in Salvador with eyes wide open.

Belgium was dominating the play scene throughout the match, exchanging assists on the edge of the area and putting more and more pressure, but the US defense and especially their keeper, Howard, saved their game. Miss after miss the Europeans were giving up their chances, and on 47 minutes, they almost had to pay the price as Jones headed a ball in the Belgian area to a freestanding Wondolowski, who shot over the post.

Overtime

With the goalless score, the game was forced into overtime for the fifth time in the eighth-finals. And this time Belgium finally scored. On two minutes a freshly-arrived Lukaku made a good speed move from the right, rolled to De Bruyne who finally beat Howard with a tap leftwards. The crowds in Salvador had seen good matches in the group stage so their patience was being put to the test now, but a thrilling extra time was the reward.

Despite the US lag, Howard bravely went on saving the US team. Shots by Lukaku, Vertonghen and Mirallas were stopped by his hands. On 14 minutes, however, he was overcome again. Lukaku, who had come in to change the game, received an assist on the edge of the area and dashed it into the back of the net: 2-0. Despite wasting so many good chances, Belgium was living up to their favoritism in the battle.

At the adverse outcome, the United States jump-started forward and scored. Early in the second half of extra time, Bradley gave Green a fine assist and he shot past Courtois narrowing the scoring 2-1. The US had a comeback and nearly tied on eight minutes of the second half of extra time.

It seemed Belgians had to wait forever for the final whistle but it finally came. Victory set coach Marc Wilmots's team to face Argentina in the quarterfinals in Brasília on Saturday (5), at 1pm, while the US joins Algeria, Chile, Switzerland, Mexico, and Greece in the list of teams that sold their defeats high, battling all the way through.

Translated by Mayra Borges