Belgium put end to American dream
4 July 2014 3:59 AM IST
Belgium defeated United States of America 2-1 in a pulsating contest to set up a 1986 rematch quarterfinal clash against Argentina, here on Wednesday. Kevin De Bruyne and substitute Romelu Lukaku’s scored two goals in the first half of extra-time before teenager Julian Green, who came in the second period of extra-time, reduced the deficit for USA with his first touch.
Belgium will now face two-time champions Argentina in the quarterfinal in Brasilia on Saturday after the La Albiceleste’s rode on a goal from Di Maria deep into additional time to beat Switzerland 1-0 in Sao Paulo in another last-16 match.
After both Belgium and and USA failed to break the stalemate in regulation time, it took a super effort from De Bruyne to open the scoring in the 92nd minute. The Wolfsburg midfielder leapt onto Lukaku’s assist to fire low into the corner. Lukaku then doubled the lead in the 106th minute, this time with an assist from De Bruyne, to put the game beyound USA’s reach.
But USA did not give up without a fight and fired back when Bayern Munich teenager Green pulled one back with a first-time volley from a Michael Bradley pass. Belgium had to go through some nervous moments in the final 10 minutes of the match but did enough to hold on to their slender lead. Earlier Di Maria’s scored a late extra-time goal to help Argentina eke out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Switzerland and progress to the quarterfinal.
Belgium will now face two-time champions Argentina in the quarterfinal in Brasilia on Saturday after the La Albiceleste’s rode on a goal from Di Maria deep into additional time to beat Switzerland 1-0 in Sao Paulo in another last-16 match.
After both Belgium and and USA failed to break the stalemate in regulation time, it took a super effort from De Bruyne to open the scoring in the 92nd minute. The Wolfsburg midfielder leapt onto Lukaku’s assist to fire low into the corner. Lukaku then doubled the lead in the 106th minute, this time with an assist from De Bruyne, to put the game beyound USA’s reach.
But USA did not give up without a fight and fired back when Bayern Munich teenager Green pulled one back with a first-time volley from a Michael Bradley pass. Belgium had to go through some nervous moments in the final 10 minutes of the match but did enough to hold on to their slender lead. Earlier Di Maria’s scored a late extra-time goal to help Argentina eke out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Switzerland and progress to the quarterfinal.
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