Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku scored as Belgium beat the United States after extra time to book a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Argentina will be the opposition after a game that saw a fantastic performance from USA goalkeeper Tim Howard and a hard-running display from every United States player.
Julian Green got one back in the second half of extra time to keep Belgium on their toes. USA also deserve credit for a resilient performance and came desperately close to claiming an equaliser.
Howard made a succession of excellent saves to keep the USA in the game but had no chance after Romelu Lukaku burst forward and the ball eventually found De Bruyne, who hammered into the back of the net.
Lukaku added a second on the brink of half time in extra time, De Bruyne leading the counter-attack, playing in Lukaku and the striker converting with aplomb.
Green scored with a well-taken volley, toe-ending the ball from behind him and leaving Thibaut Courtois with little chance. Jermain Jones and Clint Dempsey both came close to an equaliser as Belgium ended the match living on their nerves.
Vincent Kompany was fit to captain Belgium, who included League title winners Courtois and Toby Alderweireld, while USA left out Kyle Beckerman and used Geoff Cameron in midfield.
Divock Origi almost gave Belgium the lead in the opening minutes, his shot saved by Howard, while Courtois had to be alert to hold a Clint Dempsey effort after a nice USA move.
Kevin De Bruyne should have done better after Jan Vertonghen led a break but the Wolfsburg midfielder dragged a tame effort wide of Howard’s goal. He did better with a powerful strike on the brink of half time but Howard was equal to it.
United States’ hard work and closing down meant Belgium rarely found space and when they did, a posse of white shirts arrived to close it out. Jurgen Klinsmann’s side were equally diligent in attack but lacked a little subtlety as they tried to get past the likes of Kompany and Daniel van Buyten.
Better decision making from Belgium and a little more composure from the USA could have led to the opening goal, although it was Belgium bemoaning a lack of coolness in goal scoring situations when a devilish Jan Vertonghen crossed was missed by his onrushing teammates as it darted along the six-yard line.
Origi brushed the crossbar with a header as Belgium upped the pressure, Howard denying Vertonghen moments later. Dries Mertens almost mimicked Andre Schurrle’s goal for Germany with a back-heel that flashed wide, Axel Witsel fired wide and Howard denied Origi with a charging block as the best chances fell to Belgium.
Kevin Mirallas was denied by a fine save from club colleague Howard, the goalkeeper more responsible for anyone for the game being a contest so long. He did so again from Eden Hazard, Origi and Kompany, before Wondolowski ballooned over the bar with seconds to go. The assistant referee’s flag went up – wrongly – as the game went into extra time.
De Bruyne netted with the first attack of extra time while Vertonghen took too long to make up his mind when in space in the penalty area and sent a tame shot towards goal. USA pushed for an equaliser but Lukaku almost exploited the American vulnerability, Howard again coming to the rescue.
DaMarcus Beasley sent a cross into the area that needed Vertonghen’s clearance and Mirallas shot straight at Howard prior to Lukaku’s game-sealing goal. Green grabbed a spectacular consolation and Jones almost sent the game to penalties, as did Dempsey after a smart set-piece needed Courtois’ block.
DeAndre Yedlin, a first half sub and a rival for Howard for man of the match, sent a searing cross in to the Belgium area, but the United States were unable to conjure what, in the end, may have been a deserved equaliser.
Belgium 1-0 United States
De Bruyne 92, Lukaku 105 (BEL), Green 107 (USA)
Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany (c), van Buyten, Vertonghen; Witsel, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Hazard (Chadli 110), Mertens (Mirallas 60); Origi (Lukaku 90)
USA: Howard; Zusi (Wondolowski 73), Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Cameron, Bradley; Johnson (Yedlin 32), Dempsey, Bedoya (Green 105+2)
