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Final

Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Game 56 Recap: Belgium 2-1 (ET) USA

BELGIUM 2-1 (ET) USA

The clock ran out on the U.S.'s run through the 2014 World Cup but it was an exciting way to go out. Belgium meanwhile find themselves in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1986, after a hard-fought deserved win over the United States.

While they lost the game, Tim Howard was the big story today. Howard's 16-save performance is a World Cup record that no future goalkeeper will ever hope they have to try and match.

Howard's long day began almost from the opening kick. A quick through ball to Divock Origi forced a point blank kick save from Howard in the opening seconds, in what would have been a disaster for the Americans.

All Belgium to start the contest off but the U.S. was able to settle in after some opening jitters and slow the tempo of the game down. The Americans found a chance in the 21st minute as Clint Dempsey struck the ball off the feet of Michael Bradley but Thibaut Courtois was able to comfortably catch the shot.

Belgium slowly began imposing their will on the match. Kevin De Bruyne made a great cut to the centre of the field but flubbed a shot on a rush that sputtered well wide. Jan Vertonghen followed that with another run down the left flank but missed a cross to a wide open Marouane Fellaini at the front of goal.

Spent most of the half in their own end but the U.S. did get a spark from DeAndre Yedlin on the right flank. Yedlin, on as an injury substitute for Fabian Johnson was one of the few quality performers for the U.S. today outside of Howard and his cross in the 39th minute just failed to find Clint Dempsey in the Belgian area.

In to the second half and it was all Belgium. They should have taken the lead in the 54th minute as a low Vertonghen cross shot across goal but it somehow skipped straight through Origi's legs in the six yard box and went harmlessly out the back.

Origi and Vertonghen continued to provide problems for the Americans. Origi headed a cross by Toby Alderweireld in to the crossbar and Vertonghen nearly sent a wicked curling shot in to the far corner before it sailed wide. Origi then worked a give-and-go with Dries Mertens but that shot too sailed wide.

On as a substitute in the 60th minute, Kevin Mirallas added a new threat for Belgium, continually darting and weaving through the American defence. One of those runs led to an Origi shot in the 71st minute but Howard's challenge turned the ball aside.

Several more chances for Belgium as the half wore down but again Tim Howard was there. Mirallas, Eden Hazard, Origi and Vincent Kompany all saw attempts on goal turned aside and Belgian fans had to wonder how they would ever get through Howard in extra time. It almost didn't get to that point.

A failure to clear in the Belgian penalty area in injury time left the U.S. with a 2 on 0 from point blank range. Chris Wondolowski was right on the spot to volley the ball home but somehow hammered the ball high from close range. It was a stunning miss that you would expect a player at this level to finish given the opportunity. The sporting gods would say Belgium deserved the victory but that will do little for Wondolowski who will be reliving that opportunity for years.

The U.S. dam finally broke in extra time. Fresh substitute Romelu Lukaku broke past Matt Besler down the right wing and in to the U.S. area. His cross didn't land find a teammate but Kevin De Bruyne was able to collect it, turn around his defender and tuck the ball past Howard for the Belgium lead.

It was the Lukaku show for the rest of the half. With fresh legs and newly regained form, he had his way with the exhausted U.S. defence. Beat his man on the rush twice but both times was foiled by Howard. As the half was ending though, De Bruyne played him forward and his shot sailed between Howard and the near post to give Belgium the 2-0 lead and what appeared to be a certain victory.

Somehow though, the U.S. stormed back, and it was the most unlikely of sources to get them going. His inclusion on this squad (over Landon Donovan) was criticized greatly but in his first action of the World Cup, fresh substitute Julian Green pulled the U.S. one back. Green got past Alderweireld on a rush and volleyed a lob from Michael Bradley in to the fingertips of Courtois and past for a goal.

Suddenly it was Belgium on their heels after having dominated the game. Jermaine Jones' flick on a free ball in the Belgian area skirted just wide of the post immediately following the Green goal.
But the U.S. last chance was arguably their best. A perfectly worked set piece freed Dempsey on a short breakaway but Courtois was able to stand tall and keep the ball out of the net. The U.S. would get no closer to a tying goal.

Tremendous heart and fight for the Americans but ultimately the correct result in the end as Belgium move on to face Argentina in the quarterfinals.

Goals

Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne (93'), Romelu Lukaku (105')
USA: Julian Green (107')

Discipline

Belgium: Vincent Kompany (Yellow 42')
USA: Geoff Cameron (Yellow 18')

Man of the Match

Tim Howard set a World Cup record with 16 saves in this contest and was the single reason the U.S. had a chance at winning in this game. Huge save after huge save to keep Belgium at bay throughout the match. Special mention to Romelu Lukaku. Only played 30 minutes but chipped in a goal and assist in his substitute performance and came close on at least 2 other rushes.

Key Moment

In the waning seconds of the second half, the U.S. was gifted an opportunity in the Belgium penalty area. Point-blank against Thibaut Courtois, Chris Wondolowski volleyed a free ball over the crossbar and out of play. It was a stunning miss that would have surely been the winner for the Americans. Was a sense that the U.S. had missed their chance at winning and 15 minutes later, they were trailing 2-0.

What we learned from Belgium

Far and away outclassed their opponents today. Probably should have won this game in regulation but  have to factor in the play of Tim Howard. Got better as the game went on which speaks volumes of their fitness level. The US looked gassed at the end but Belgium were still flying all over the pitch. May have let off at 2-0 but can't be too harsh about that. They had done everything necessary to be way ahead without extra time.

What we learned from USA

Tim Howard may have played his last World Cup match and if it was, it was a heck of a way to go it. The best player on the field for either team and put the U.S in a position to succeed. As for everyone else, limited bright spots. Felt the defensive cohesion wasn't up to standard which is why Howard was so busy. Needed more pressure and ball movement through the midfield and had no finishing until the end of the game. Future definitely bright with guys like Green and Yedlin who were excellent off the bench. Had a chance to win, didn't deserve to today though.

Going Forward

The U.S. have a transition period ahead of them as several players are likely gone for the next World Cup cycle. Will be curious to see how they develop in the future.

Belgium advances to the quarterfinals to meet an Argentina team that hasn't been impressive despite four wins so far. That game promises to be an exciting one and the potential for a Belgian upset over the South Americans.

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