Heartbreak for team USA as Belgium ends their World Cup hopes
There will be no more cheers of "U-S-A, "U-S-A", no stirring rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" for Team USA has been eliminated by tournament dark horses Belgium in the round of 16 match played on Wednesday (July 2).
The stubborn resistance from team USA's Tim Howard meant that it took the Belgians 93 minutes before they were able to score their first goal in extra time.
Kevin De Bruyne somehow managed to score a goal from the narrowest of angles.
USA's hopes were further dashed when big Romelu Lukaku, who came on as a substitute in the 91 minute of the game, scored a thunderbolt of a goal in the 105th minute of the game.
USA's hopes were briefly raised when teeen sensation Julian Green scored in the 107th minute of the game with a first time volley.
It would have been very different if US substitute Chris Wondolowski didn't horribly skew wide, from five metres in the dying seconds of normal time to seal what would have been a smash and grab victory.
However, that proved to be a nothing but a consolation as they were unable to capitalise on the goal for a comeback.
“It was heart-breaking. We left it all out there but we lost to a really good team. It hurts but hats off to Belgium they were fantastic,” said Tim Howard after the match.
“Sometimes when you give your best it doesn’t come off. We put them under real pressure at the end and fell short but it was an unbelievable night and we have an incredible group of players.”
Belgium move on to face Argentina on July 6 in the quarter finals.
Source: Reuters, YouTube
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