The final match of the 1/8 final stage of the FIFA World Cup took place in the Brazilian city of El Salvador. The national teams of Belgium and the USA fought for the right to play in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
In the first half, the Belgians' favoritism was not fully felt. The US team was practically not inferior to the young talented Europeans.
One of the most dangerous moments of the first half was the episode at the very beginning of the meeting. Already in the first minute, the Belgian player from a vantage point checked the goalkeeper Howard, but the latter blocked the ball's way into the goal. Then the game was played with a slight advantage of the Belgian team. Several times the Americans were rescued by the goalkeeper Howard. The US players tried to counterattack dangerously, but this did not bring tangible results - the numbers on the scoreboard did not change.
The first half ended in a goalless draw.
In the second half, the Belgian team added significantly. Now the advantage in the class of the Belgian players affected the game itself. The Europeans had some very good scoring opportunities for the Americans, but goalkeeper Howard worked wonders. In one episode, the US team was saved by a crossbar. The Belgians have delivered more than twenty shots to the goal of the US team. It seemed that a goal was brewing, but 90 minutes of the meeting did not give the audience the goals scored. US players endured overtime.
In extra time, already in the 93rd minute, the Americans still conceded. Kevin de Bruyne shot the magnificent Howard from outside the box. Belgium led 1 - 0.
After the goal was scored, the Wilmots team did not stop there. Romelu Lukaku, who came on as a substitute in overtime, doubled the Europeans' lead in the 105th minute - 2 - 0. Now it seemed. that Belgium will calmly bring the match to victory, but the European fans had to get pretty nervous in the second overtime.
The USA team decided to go to storm the opponent's goal with the last bit of strength. Nineteen-year-old Julian Green in the 107th minute got back 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 is 2 - 1 in favor of the team of Belgium, which will now play in the quarterfinals with the national team of Argentina. The Americans have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of - the team successfully performed at the tournament, after which the players can go home with their heads held high.
