1/8 finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup: Belgium - USA
1/8 finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup: Belgium - USA
The final match of the stage 1/8 finals of the World Cup was held in the Brazilian city of El Salvador. National teams from Belgium and the United States fought for the right to compete in the quarterfinals of the mundial.
In the first half the favoritism of the Belgians was not felt fully. The US team was almost inferior to young talented Europeans.
One of the most dangerous moments of the first halfwas an episode at the very beginning of the meeting. Already in the first minute the Belgian player from the advantageous position checked goalkeeper Howard, but the latter blocked the ball way into the goal. Then the game took place with a slight advantage of the team of Belgium. Several times the Americans rescued goalkeeper Howard. The US players tried to counterattack dangerously, but it did not bring tangible results - the numbers on the scoreboard never changed.
The first half ended in a goalless draw.
In the second half, the Belgian team significantlyshe added. Now the advantage in the class of Belgian players affected the game itself. Europeans had some very good opportunities for scoring Americans, but goalkeeper Howard worked wonders. In one episode, the US team saved the crossbar. The Belgians dealt more than twenty strikes at the gate of the US team. It seemed that the goal was brewing, but 90 minutes of the meeting did not give the spectators scored goals. US players have patted up to overtime.
In the extra time already at the 93rd minute the Americans still missed. Kevin de Bruijne from the penalty area struck the magnificent Howard. Belgium took 1 - 0.
After a goal scored, the Vilmots team does nothas stopped on the reached. Romel Lukaku, who came on as a substitute in overtime, doubled the advantage of Europeans in the 105th minute - 2 - 0. Now it seemed. that Belgium will calmly bring the match to victory, but the European fans were pretty nervous on the second overtime.
The US team decided to go on storming the opponent's goalfrom the last forces. Nineteen-year-old Julian Green in the 107th minute otkvital one goal. After that the Europeans became noticeably nervous. The Americans had a chance to win back. But they could not do it.
The final score of the meeting was 2 - 1 in favor of the teamBelgium, which will now play in the quarterfinals with the national team of Argentina. Americans have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of - the team has successfully performed at the tournament, after which players can go home with a high head.
