Belgians Outlast Team USA in Extra Time

01 Jul, 2014

For a full 90 minutes, Belgium’s almost relentless attack added up to nothing in the face of Tim Howard.

Only in extra time was the superb United States goalkeeper finally beaten.

Kevin De Bruyne turned Howard’s heroic night into defeat on Tuesday when he scored an extra-time goal and then set up Romelu Lukaku for another to give Belgium a 2-1 victory over the Americans. Their reward is a quarterfinal match against Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates on Saturday in Brasilia.

“For my heart, please don’t give me too many games like this,” Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said. “He (Howard) was in a state of grace.”

Belgium’s unyielding attacks for the full 90 minutes of regulation time only highlighted the great performance of the 35-year-old Howard, but the goalkeeper’s teammates finally wilted in the evening heat once extra time came.

“They were all on their limit,” United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “(Howard) had an absolutely amazing match.”

Three minutes into the extra period, Lukaku found space on the right and passed into the center. At first, the ball was poked out before De Bruyne gained possession. Belgium’s creative genius still had the energy for a sharp turn and his low shot finally missed the yellow foot of Howard and settled inside the post.

In the 105th minute, Belgium looked like it had put the game away. De Bruyne launched Lukaku into open space on the left and the Everton striker beat his club teammate with a drive to the near post.

The Americans got late hope when Julian Green pulled one back in the 107th minute with a perfect volley on the turn that Thibaut Courtois could only touch before he saw it fly into his net.

With six minutes to go, the Americans almost got the equalizer. A free kick move set Clint Dempsey free in the center with only Courtois to beat. But the Belgium keeper proved he is one of the world’s best by spreading his giant body to smother the shot.

“It was a game that just went to the extreme,” Klinsmann said. “We just needed a little bit more luck.”

AP

Image Paul Sancya

Mentioned In This Post: