Published On: Wed, Jul 2nd, 2014

US Soccer Falls to Belgium 2-1 in Extra Time Thriller

green goal

The U.S. Men’s National Team nearly pulled off the most dramatic of late comebacks, but Belgium held off the vigorous late efforts to earn a 2-1 victory against the USA in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova.

Tim Howard had one of the best goalkeeping efforts in U.S. MNT and FIFA World Cup history with 16 saves. It is the most saves since FIFA has recorded that statistic in the World Cup.

Julian Green made his FIFA World Cup debut and scored in extra time to keep the USA’s hopes alive when the squad was trailing by two goals.

Romelu Lukaku’s 105th-minute tally proved to be the game-winner. Kevin De Bruyne assisted Lukaku’s first goal and also scored an unassisted goal in the third minute of extra time.

With all of the defensive efforts during a scoreless 90-minute regulation, the USA had a high-percentage scoring chance in the third minute of stoppage time when Jermaine Jones headed the ball to a wide-open Chris Wondolowski at the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker’s right-footed shot skewed wide of the goal.

Belgium advances to the tournament quarterfinals against Argentina on Saturday, July 5, at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia (12 p.m. ET, ABC).

Goal Scoring Rundown:
BEL – Kevin De Bruyne (unassisted), 93rd minute:
 Shortly into extra time, Belgium broke the stalemate as Romelu Lukaku dribbled from midfield to the right side of the box. USA center back Omar Gonzalez had a small clearance, but Kevin De Bruyne retrieved the ball, dribbled to his right and slotted at shot to the inside of the far left post. USA goalkeeper Tim Howard, who was a rock all night in the goal, could not quite stretch his right leg out far enough as Belgium took the lead. USA 0, BEL 1

BEL – Romelu Lukaku (Kevin De Bruyne), 105th minute: Belgium seemingly put the match out of reach for the USA when Kevin De Bruyne dished from the left side to Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku shot from the edge of the six-yard box past Tim Howard to take a two-goal lead. USA 0, BEL 2

USA – Julian Green (Michael Bradley), 107th minute: Julian Green made his FIFA World Cup debut in stoppage time of the first 15-minute overtime. In the second 15-minute extra session, Green came through in the clutch. Midfielder Michael Bradley chipped the ball in beautifully, connecting with Green at the penalty spot. In the air, the 19-year-old volleyed with his right foot into the right side of the frame. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois got a glove on the ball, but his slight deflection was not enough to change the trajectory of the shot. Green became the 21st American player to record a goal in a FIFA World Cup. USA 1, BEL 2 (FINAL)

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
USA – Tim Howard, 1st minute:
 Just 39 seconds into the match, Belgium’s Divock Origi challenged the USA defense. He received the ball from the right side, dribbled past U.S. center back Omar Gonzalez and shot toward the near right post. USA goalkeeper Tim Howard made a key kick save to surrender a Belgium corner kick.

BEL – Thibaut Courtois, 21st minute: The USA set up its first shot on goal with some nice one-touch passing. Michael Bradley dished to Clint Dempsey just inside the box and he fired with his left foot, and Thibaut Courtois dove to his right for his first save.

USA – DaMarcus Beasley, 26th minute: Jan Vertonghen stepped up from the left side for Belgium and he tried to find Marouane Fellaini with his cross. USA left back DaMarcus Beasley stepped in at the edge of the six-yard box to break up Belgium’s attempt.

BEL – Daniel Van Buyten, 38th minute: USA right back DeAndre Yedlin made an early impact off the bench after replacing the injured Fabian Johnson. Yedlin crossed from the right side and nearly connected with his Seattle Sounders FC teammate Clint Dempsey, but Belgium defender Daniel Van Buyten made an important header clearance to break things up.

USA – Tim Howard, 57th minute: Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen was the main catalyst for his team’s attack in the early stages of the second half. He tried to slip a shot from the near left side and USA goalkeeper Tim Howard made the foot save as Belgium knocked on the door on several occasions.

USA – Tim Howard, 71st minute: Belgium gained a run of steam straight up the middle and Divock Origi struck from about 19 yards out. He tried to shoot in between U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard’s legs, but Howard once again made a save with his legs.

USA – Tim Howard, 76th minute: With the slightest of left-footed flicks, Tim Howard disrupted a shot by second-half sub and Everton teammate Kevin Mirallas, deflecting the shot away to give up a corner kick.

USA – Tim Howard, 79th minute: For his 10th save of the match, Tim Howard parried away an Eden Hazard shot from the left side. Marouane Fellaini dropped the ball off the Hazard, who had a good look at the right side of the frame. Howard was low to the ground and stretched to his left for the save.

USA – Tim Howard, 104th minute: Still trying to limit Belgium’s lead to one goal, Tim Howard stuffed a Kevin Mirallas shot from the right side for save No. 15.

BEL – Thibaut Courtois, 114th minute: The USA executed a unique free kick in which Clint Dempsey peeled off the defensive wall. Michael Bradley took the free kick, passing to Chris Wondolowski who took a touch to Dempsey at close range in the middle of the box. Dempsey was one-on-one with Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and Courtois won that matchup with the save to fend off the USA’s surge of momentum.

About the Author

Discover more from The Boca Raton Tribune

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading