Belgium the tournament’s dark horses booked their place in the last 16 by topping Group H. On their way to second-round Belgium defeated Algeria, Russia and Korea Republic comprehensively. In these three matches Belgium conceded just once and scored four goals, they may not have played the excited football, but have done their job inaudibly.
Belgium now faces the United States who finished second to Germany in Group G and zipped past Portugal thanks to superior goal difference. Last time Belgium made it to quarter-finals was way back in 1986 and the USA’s last entry into final eight was in 2002, here are some other facts as these two teams fight it out for place in next round.
1) Confidence in Belgium camp will be sky-high as for the first time they won all three of their group games at a World Cup. It is also for the first time they have won three successive World Cup games. They are unbeaten and will surely love to stay that.
2) Belgium scored four goals in their three group games, the second lowest tally of the 16 teams who qualified for the second round. Greece had scored only two goals during their group stage.
3) Belgium plays attacking football towards the end as their last six World Cup goals have come in the closing 20 minutes of games. The USA should be wary of this late onslaught by Belgians.
4) This is the familiar territory for the USA as in last four World Cups they have managed to reach the knockout stage thrice.
5) United States striker Clint Dempsey has to his credit four goals in nine World Cup outings. He has scored in each of his three World Cups that are 2006, 2010 and now 2014.
6) If Clint Dempsey scores one more goal against Belgium he will equal Landon Donovan as the USA’s all-time World Cup top scorer with five goals.
7) Both these teams have met just once in the World Cup that too in the inaugural tournament way back in 1930. The USA won 3-0 then and it remains their only victory over Belgium.
8) All five previous fixtures between these two sides have produced results. Belgium have won four games while the USA have won one with no draws.
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