World Cup: U.S. Men fall 2-1 to Belgium in extra time as late rally falls short

The U.S. Men’s National Team’s 2014 World Cup ended in gut-wrenching fashion on Tuesday evening, as Belgium scored two extra-time goals and outlasted a furious late Yanks rally to defeat the USMNT 2-1 in their Round of 16 dogfight at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil.

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

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The U.S. nearly pulled off a dramatic late comeback after teenager Julian Green, making his World Cup debut, scored to halve the deficit and swing momentum dramatically. But Clint Dempsey saw a point-blank effort created on a clever set piece saved by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and several other chances went unfinished to end the team’s campaign in Brazil.

With the Belgians firmly in the advantage over the first 90 minutes, Tim Howard had one of the best goalkeeping efforts in USMNT and FIFA World Cup history with 16 saves, the most since FIFA has recorded that statistic in the World Cup.

Belgium broke the stalemate early in extra time as Romelu Lukaku dribbled from midfield to the right side of the box, taking advantage of Matt Besler’s fall. U.S. center back Omar Gonzalez had a small clearance, but De Bruyne retrieved the ball, dribbled to his right and slotted at shot to the inside of the far left post as Howard could not quite stretch his right leg out far enough.

Belgium seemingly put the match out of reach in the 105^th minute when De Bruyne dished from the left side to Lukaku, who shot from the edge of the six-yard box past Howard to take a two-goal lead.

But U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley found Green with a beautiful lofted pass in the 107^th minute connecting with Green at the penalty spot. The 19-year-old volleyed with his right foot into the right side of the frame.

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After defending constantly 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 advance to the tournament quarterfinals against Argentina on Saturday, July 5, at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia (12 p.m. ET, broadcast on ABC).

– U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Belgium
Date: July 1, 2014
Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup – Round of 16
Venue: Estadio Fonte Nova; Salvador, Brazil
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
Attendance: 51,227
Weather: 79 degrees, cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1    2  OT1 OT2 F
USA                        0    0    0    1    1
BEL                         0    0    2    0    2

BEL – Kevin De Bruyne                            93rd minute
BEL – Romelu Lukaku (Kevin De Bruyne)  105
USA – Julian Green (Michael Bradley)       107

Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 23-Fabian Johnson (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 32), 3-Omar Gonzalez, 5-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 20-Geoff Cameron, 4- Michael Bradley, 13-Jermaine Jones; 11-Alejandro Bedoya (16-Julian Green,105+2), 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.), 19-Graham Zusi (18-Chris Wondolowski, 72)
Subs Not Used: 6-John Brooks, 10-Mix Diskerud, 12-Brad Guzan, 14-Brad Davis, 15-Kyle Beckerman, 17-Jozy Altidore, 21-Timmy Chandler, 22-Nick Rimando, 23-Aron Johannsson
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

BEL: 1-Thibaut Courtois; 2-Toby Alderweireld, 4-Vincent Kompany (capt.), 5-Jan Vertonghen, 15-Daniel Van Buyten; 6-Axel Witsel, 7-Kevin De Bruyne, 8-Marouane Fellaini, 10-Eden Hazard (22-Nacer Chadli, 111), 14-Dries Mertens (11-Kevin Mirallas, 60); 17-Divock Origi (9-Romelu Lukaku, 91)
Subs not used: 3-Thomas Vermaelen, 12-Simon Mignolet, 13-Sammy Bossut, 18-Nicolas Lombaerts,19-Mousa Dembele, 20-Adnan Januzaj, 23-Laurent Ciman
Not Available: 16-Steven Defour (red card), 21-Anthony Vanden Borre (injury)
Head Coach: Marc Wilmots

Stats Summary: USA / BEL
Shots: 15 / 38
Shots on Goal: 9 / 27
Saves: 16 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 19
Fouls: 11 / 27
Offside: 0 / 2

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Geoff Cameron (caution)      18th minute
BEL – Vincent Kompany (caution)  42

Officials:
Referee: Djamel Haimoudi (ALG)
Assistant Referee 1: Redouane Achik (MAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Abdelhak Etchiali (ALG)
Fourth Official: Norbert Hauata (TAH)

Man of the Match: Tim Howard