USA is sent home packing.
It was Tim Howard vs. Belgium today.
The United States goalkeeper put his name in the history books, recording 16 saves, the most in a single World Cup match ever. It seemed like nothing could get past him and he was the only one holding the U.S. down, since the defense would break down constantly and the offensive attack was nowhere to be found.
It remained that way for a good part of the match until extra time.
Belgium was attacking every chance they got, with 38 shots with 27 of them on goal and 19 corner kicks to end the game. It was truly remarkable how many opportunities they had and didn’t capitalize not once, thanks to Tim Howard.
Then one of them finally did.
In the 93rd minute, Kevin De Bruyne found the back of the net from a sweet shot in between three defenders and most importantly, past Howard. It seemed to have made the United States more alert, because all of the sudden, they were attacking.
Until the dagger was inserted into their heart.
By the 105th minute, Romelu Lukaku put Belgium up 2-0 with a goal of his own, after a beautiful placed pass from De Bruyne on the break.
The United States was deflated after that one, but they didn’t give up. The team kept attacking and putting their heart on the field. Every drop of blood, sweat and tears was used to get on the scoreboard themselves and it came from the most unsual of places. Not Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley or Jermaine Jones.
It was from 19-year old Julian Green.
Green was just inserted into the game to replace Alejandro Bedoya in his first World Cup match ever, chipping in a pass from Michael Bradley and giving the U.S. the fire they needed all game. After that is when shit got really real for them
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
They had one opportunity towards the end when Jones barely missed a shot for the equalizer and it went off to the right of the pole. Then they only got one minute of extra time, which is barely enough to get anything off or set up a shot to begin with.
“ONLY ONE FUCKING MINUTE??”
All in all, it was a great tournament for the United States, after overcoming all adversity and surviving the “Group of Death.”
Belgium will face Argentina in the next round.