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Belgium's Vincent Kompany (left) and USA's Clint Dempsey. EMPICS Sport
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Belgium v US, World Cup last 16

Will Jurgen Klinsmann mastermind a historic win for the Americans or are the talented Belgian side set to prevail?

WE’VE JUST ONE slot to fill in the quarter-finals as Belgium face the USA. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game.

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Good evening! We’re down the final game of the last 16 (booo!) meaning all four quarter-final ties will be known by later tonight.

The two teams vying to take that slot? Belgium and the United States. The big teams news is that Belgian captain Vincent Kompany returns as part of six changes from Marc Wilmots.

For the US, Stoke’s Geoff Cameron comes in for Kyle Beckerman and Alejandro Bedoya replaces Brad Davis.

Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Witsel, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Hazard, Mertens, Van Buyten, Origi.

USA: Howard, Gonzalez, Bradley, Besler, Beasley, Dempsey, Bedoya, Jones, Zusi, Cameron, Johnson.

Fr Jack has nailed his colours to the flag…

Fr Jack

19-year-old Lille striker Divock Origi gets the nod ahead of Romelu Lukaku for Belgium. He is believed to be on his way to Liverpool this summer.

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2014 - Group H - Korea Republic v Belgium - Arena de Sao Paulo Stadium Press Association Images Press Association Images

Belgium, with three wins from three so far, undoubtedly have far superior individuals but the US have shown over the past two weeks that they are a solid unit which won’t go down without a fight.

Predictions?


Poll Results:

Belgium win (241)
Draw after 90 minutes (193)
US win (152)

Captains Kompany and Dempsey take part in the coin toss…

US Belgium captains RTE Player RTE Player

Belgium break almost immediately and De Bruyne picks out Origi, who forces Howard into an early save.

There’s a serious delay with George Hamilton’s commentary on RTE so we’ve switched to BBC with the rest of Twitter it seems.

Beasley gets down the left flank but his cross sails over the back of the net.

Poor communication among the American backline hands Belgium a corner. Fellaini gets onto the end of it at the back post but it’s cleared and the US then win a free-kick.

Besler takes the legs of Origi and concedes a free.

There’s now a fan on the pitch. He’s allowed to run free for a couple of minutes before stewards intervene and play restarts.

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2014 - Round of 16 - Belgium v USA - Arena Fonte Nova EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Jurgen isn’t impressed.

Cameron has earned himself an early yellow card for a silly trip on Mertens.

Bradley attacks through the middle and the ball is taken off his foot but falls to Dempsey. He tries a snapshot but Courtios makes a routine catch.

Best chance of the match so far and it has fallen to Belgium. Zusi loses possession to Vertonghen in the centre circle and Belgium pour forward in numbers. It’s four on two and De Bruyne is played in but shoots disappointingly wide.

Eden Hazard appears to be really on his game here and has looked the most dangerous player so far.

First he plays Vertonghen in first time before DaMarcus Beasley clears off the line with Fellaini ready to pounce. Minutes later, he has a shot on goal.

Fabian Johnson, who has been one of the US’ standout players in Brazil, picks up an injury and will be replaced by DeAndre Yedlin. The full-back is immediately involved and earns his team a corner.

Coincidence or possibly something to do with their rigorous training regime?

That’s a decent ball into the Belgian box from Yedlin but Van Buyten gets a crucial header in with Dempsey loitering at the back post.

A diagonal ball finds Yedlin and Jones gets a shot in but fires wide.

Origi holds off Jones and advances down the right side. He fizzes a pass into the feet of De Bruyne, who chooses to shoot first time but Howard sees it all the way.

Half-time: Belgium 0-0 US

We’re back and ready to go here. No substitutions on either side.

It’s Belgium who come out quickest at the start of the second half. De Bruyne crosses with the outside of his boot and Mertens heads goalward, forcing Howard to tip it over the bar.

Marouane Fellaini was generally ineffective in the first half. And he has just attempted a shot from 30 yards but sent it well off-target.

Vertonghen sends an inviting ball across the six-yard line but Origi doesn’t read the delivery and takes a swipe at fresh air.

Fellaini controls with his chest and lays off to De Bruyne but his strike is a poor one.

Belgium are turning the screw now and Origi has hit the bar. Next, Vertonghen gets forward and drills the ball at goal from an acute angle for Howard to save. The Spurs defender then tries a Van Basten-esque volley when a cross comes back across.

Everton’s Kevin Miralles is getting ready to join the action.

Good work from Origi out wide allows Mertens an opportunity but it’s into the sidenetting. That’s his last involvement with Miralles replacing the Napoli man.

Witsel shoots from 20 yards but can’t find the target.

Dempsey’s strike doesn’t trouble Courtois then Miralles goes on a fine run to set up Origi but his effort is straight at Howard.

Zusi looks shattered and is coming off for Chris Wondolowski.

That’s a smashing save from Tim Howard. Smart play from Origi slips Miralles in and he opens up his body to find the far corner but it denied by the outstretched foot of his Everton clubmate.

Omar Gonzalez comes down on his ankle and it appears to be a painful one. The LA Galaxy defender is receiving treatment.

The game has really opened up in the last few minutes. Howard yet again keeps out Miralles then Beasley sends in a cross which is dealt with.

Several goalkeepers have earned man-of-the-match awards already at this tournament and Tim Howard is nailed on to pick it up here after an incredible display. His latest save sees him palm over from Origi.

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2014 - Round of 16 - Belgium v USA - Arena Fonte Nova EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Vincent Kompany wins possession in his own half and starts an attack before trotting forward to join in. De Bruyne plays the Man City skipper in but the ball is slightly behind him and he is stretching. It’s a weak attempt and Howard gets down.

Wondolowski with a big miss at the end. He blazes over then looks relieved to see the linesman’s flag. However, replays show that he was well onside!

Full-time: Belgium 0-0 US

More extra-time it is!

Right, 30 minutes more to play. Romelu Lukaku is on.

GOAL! Belgium 1-0 US (Kevin de Bruyne) 

The Belgians go in front early in the first half of extra-time. New man Lukaku creates for De Bruyne, who fires low into the far corner.

Here’s that goal:

Lukaku close to doubling his tally there but Howard saves.

GOAL! Belgium 2-0 US (Romelu Lukaku) 

GOAL! Belgium 2-1 US (Julian Green) 

Wow! They’ve got one back from Germany-born substitute Julian Green, who volleys in.

19-year-old Green’s goal. The US have ten minutes to equalise.

 

The US were inches away from pulling off one of the great free-kick routines. Bradley plays it short and it’s threaded through for Dempsey but Courtois is out in a flash to snuff out the danger.

Just one minute of time added on to play.

Full-time: Belgium 2-1 US

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