Belgium beats USA in extra time, advances in World Cup
The USA's World Cup hopes ended Tuesday as Belgium won the round of 16 match 2-1 in extra time. Belgium now advances to the quarterfinals and will play Argentina on July 5 at noon ET.
The game went to overtime after regulation ended with the score 0-0. Belgium scored early in extra time to take a quick lead, then added another goal. The U.S. later tacked on a goal from Julian Green to make it 2-1, but didn't score again before time expired.
Belgium's first goal was from midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. Romelu Lukaku scored the second goal for Belgium.
The only time the U.S. team won a round of 16 match was in 2002. That year marked the furthest the U.S. team had advanced since it made the semifinals in 1930.
The match sparked reaction on Twitter, including from President Obama who tweeted, "In America, we don't settle. We out-hustle the competition."
Howard's heroics proved critical during regulation.
And U.S. fans responded enthusiastically in support of their goalie.
After the game, the U.S. National team tweeted appreciation to fans for their support.
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Paste BN Network offers this viewing guide to fans who may not closely follow the English Premier League or Major League Soccer, but who are ready to root on the USA.
Game time
The USA vs. Belgium game starts at 4 p.m. ET in Salvador, Brazil, and can be seen on ESPN and ESPN.com. To follow all the action from Tuesday's matches — Argentina defeated Switzerland in an earlier game — and throughout the World Cup, check out full coverage from Paste BN Sports.
Viewing parties are being held in cities across the nation. The game will be watched by millions in living rooms, bars and even larger venues like AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Texas.
How the USA can win the game
The U.S. team will have to be "attack-minded," and look to score early, according to one Paste BN expert.
Belgium has tended to score its goals late in World Cup games, leaving little time for their opponents to come back.
"If the U.S. is going to beat Belgium, it's going to have to throw a punch or two," according to a Paste BN preview of the match. The U.S. has played strong defense this World Cup and in years past, but the difference this year could be the team's offense.
Other news of note
• In their last 16 games against European opponents, the USA has given up at least one goal.
• Belgium advanced out of the group stage in six of their seven World Cup appearances.
• Belgium and USA have played each other only once before at the World Cup. It was in 1930, in what was the first World Cup game either country ever played.
Key players
USA: Striker Jozy Altidore strained his hamstring in the opener against Ghana and hasn't played since. He was cleared to play, but was left out of the starting lineup. Since 2007, Altidore has scored 23 goals in 74 matches for the U.S. national team.
USA: Tim Howard is considered one of the best goalies in the world. Belgium's offense has come primarily at the end of games so Howard will be on the spot if the game is close in the final minutes.
Belgium: Midfielder Eden Hazard's coach, Marc Wilmots, has said Hazard can be one of the best five players in the world. "He has the potential," Wilmots said.
Belgium: Vincent Kompany is a key player on Belgium's defense. He has been out due to a groin injury, but will be starting vs. the U.S.
Tracking the action on Twitter
Hashtags to follow: The official World Cup ones are #worldcup and #Brazil2014. The U.S. Men's National Team is #USMNT.
Tweet #USA or #BEL to create "hashflags" for each country.
Follow @lagrisham on Twitter