2 Jul 2014

Belgium beat USA to reach World Cup quarters

11:36 am on 2 July 2014

Belgium scored twice in extra time to seal a 2-1 win over the United States to advance to the quarter-finals of the football World Cup in Brazil.

After dominating the game and being frustrated by an inspired Tim Howard in the US goal, Kevin De Bruyne struck in the 93rd minute and substitute Romelu Lukaku in the 105th minute.

Teenager Julian Green got one back for the Americans two minutes later to ensure a tense finish.

The result completed an unprecedented advance of all group winners through the round of 16 into the quarter-finals.

Belgium join Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Germany and the Netherlands in the final eight.

A last 16 round after a group stage was introduced in 1986, following six groups in the first three editions, and eight groups since 1998.

The previous record number of group winners was seven from the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

The Belgium-USA game was also the fifth in the round of 16 in Brazil to head into extra time, tying a record from 1938 when five games in the round were not decided in 90 minutes of regulation as well.

The 1938 tournament, and 1934, were played in a full knockout format, starting with the round of 16.

In the quarter-finals France play Germany, Brazil play Colombia, Argentina play Belgium and the Netherlands play Costa Rica.