World Cup 2014 Highlights: De Bruyne, Lukaku Help Belgium Set Up Quarterfinals Clash vs Argentina
Belgium defeated a spirited USA 2-1 in extra-time to book a quarterfinals berth against Argentina. Catch all the highlights here.
The last-16 clash went down to the wire but Belgium emerged the better team as they beat USA to move to the last-8.. Catch all highlights here. (Matchcentre | Fixtures)
4:02 IST: That's the final whistle as Belgium beat USA 2-1 to book a quarterfinal clash against Argentina. The Americans were brilliant and fought bravely against a far more experienced side but it was Lukaku, who at the end proved to be the difference.
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3:47 IST: GOAL! USA are fighting back here as Julian Green scores to make it 1-2 for the Americans. This game is still going down to the wire unless Belgium find a way to get further ahead. The United States are looking dangerous now.
3:43 IST: GOAL! Another one and this time from Lukaku, who had lifted Belgium after coming on the field. Belgium are 2-0 up against USA.
3:31 IST: GOAL! Â Kevin De Bruyne scores in the 93rd minute as Belgium take the lead over USA. It's 1-0
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3:22 IST: Another game moves into extra-time. It was all thanks to Tim Howard, that the United States managed to hold on to 0-0 against Belgium after 90 minutes.
3:16 IST: Hazard came close to scoring again but his shot missed the goal by a whisker as the score continued to remain 0-0.
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3:04 IST: Howard was in action again in the 76th minute as Kevin Mirallas held on to a pass and charged down the USA half; but the bearded American goalie came up with another gutsy save.
2:59 IST: Origi came blasting down and wanted to score off a rebound for Belgium but the ever-alert Howard denied him as the United States somehow managed to stay level at 0-0.
2:51 IST: Still goalless after 64 minutes but it has been an exciting, fast-paced game, with Belgium on the offensive in the second half.
2:46 IST: The USA are under serious attack from Belgium in the second half. The Belgians are desperate to open the scoring and
2:36 IST: Spectacular, gravity defying save by US goalie Tim Howard soon after resumption of the second half.
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2:19 IST: After three minutes of stoppage time, the referee blows the whistle. End of the first-half and it's Belgium 0 - USA 0.
2:12 IST: Belgium skipper Komany gets a yellow card for a rough challenge; well deserved too.
2:11 IST: You can't fault either team for lack of effort; both sides have been aggressive, especially Belgium. The United States gang of defenders have been solid today.
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2:05 IST: Belgium have generally been slow starters in the World Cup; their last six WC goals have come in the last 20 minutes, (two in 2002 and four in 2014).
2:04 IST: Thirty-five minutes and it's still goalless, though Belgium have come close to scoring on more than a few occasions. With star strikers at their disposal, they could fire in one sooner rather than later.
1:51 IST: USA were almost on their way ahead, thanks to Clint Dempsey but Belgium goalie Thibault Courtois makes a great save to keep it goalless in the 21st minute.
1:50 IST: USA's German coach Juergen Klinsmann, won the World Cup as a player in 1990. He has plenty of experience and has put it to good use for the United States this World Cup.
1:46 IST: Fifteen minutes into the game and there's an intruder on the field. Play was held up but stewards stormed out to escort the man off.
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1:43 IST: The last time these two countries met each other at the World Cup was back in 1930, the first ever edition. Back then, the Americans won 3-0.
1:41 IST: Both Belgium and US have looked aggressive and keen to take the attack to each other.
1:32 IST: It could have been a disastrous start for the United States but Divock Origi failed to make use of a great pass, allowing US goalie Tim Howard to make an easy safe, who by the way is furious with his defenders.
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1:05 IST: Vincent Kompany has been declared fit to lead Belgium against the United States in the last 16 clash. The Americans have never qualified for the quarterfinals of a World Cup. Will this be their day?
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Belgium vs USA Factoid
- US and Belgium have met only once in the World Cup when US won 3-0 (in 1930).
- US have never advanced to the quarterfinal of a FIFA World Cup.
- Belgium won all three of their group games at a World Cup for the first time. It was also the first time they had won three successive games in the competition.
Road to Pre-Quarters:
Belgium: Beat Algeria (2-1), Beat Russia (1-0), Beat Korea Republic (1-0)
USA: Beat Ghana (2-1), Drew With Portugal (2-2), Lost to Germany (0-1)
US Will Attack Belgium, Says Coach
United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann says attack will be the best form of defence when his American underdogs tackle Belgium on Tuesday for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The United States confounded all pre-tournament predictions by battling their way out of a daunting Group G, finishing behind Germany but claiming the runners-up spot ahead of Portugal and Ghana.
Klinsmann acknowledged, however, that his team must improve on last Thursday's 1-0 defeat by the Germans in Recife if they are to provide another shock by eliminating Belgium, regarded by many as tournament dark horses. (Read More)
USA in Step With Other Overachievers
Jurgen Klinsmann often challenges U.S. players to follow the grand old goal of self-improvement by playing in the Champions League and the fast leagues of Europe.
On Tuesday, the Americans will confront Belgium in the Round of 16. In this World Cup of upsets and near-misses and exposure of aging dynasties, Klinsmann might consider it a backhanded blessing that his players did not beat their brains out this past year in the Champions League, the made-for-TV, money-generating European club tournament.
Consider the side effects of life in the luxury lane: stress, cynicism and flat-out exhaustion. FIFA summer vacations are about as abbreviated as Speedos on a European beach. (Read More)
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US Games Best Suited For Eden Hazard to Peak
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was sure about two things coming into the World Cup. One: a single action can turn a whole match and a whole campaign. Two: Eden Hazard can produce that single decisive action.
The Belgian playmaker goes into the second-round clash against the United States on Tuesday after more than a week's rest and almost a lifetime of watching Brazilian football videos. (Read More)
Vincent Kompany Doubtful for Pre-Quarters Clash
Belgium captain Vincent Kompany is a doubt to face the United States in the World Cup last 16 but a scare over Marouane Fellaini is "nothing serious", coach Marc Wilmots said Sunday.
Manchester City's Kompany missed training at the Belgian base camp in Mogi das Cruzes, while Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen went through a light work-out alone.
Fellaini also left shortly before the end of training with what looked like an ice-pack on his left calf. But Wilmots said the move was precautionary and that the Manchester United player shold be "100 percent" for Tuesday's game in Salvador. (Read more)