Belgium overcome USA in thriller

Extra-time goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku sealed a thrilling 2-1 victory for Belgium over a spirited United States and set up a World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina.

Belgium enjoyed nearly all the possession and looked the more dangerous side throughout as the US were forced to set up camp outside their box and look for the break.

After dominating the game and being frustrated by an inspired Tim Howard in the US goal, De Bruyne struck in the 93rd minute, collecting a loose ball before turning and firing home an angled shot from seven metres.

In a pulsating extra time period, substitute Lukaku powered home a second on 105 minutes after a neat De Bruyne pass.

Midfielder Green raised US hopes by pulling one back with a smart volley two minutes later but after Thibaut Courtois denied Dempsey’s clever set-piece move it was Belgium who held on to seal their first World Cup quarter-final since 1986.

It could have been very different for the Belgians had US substitute Chris Wondolowski not horribly skewed wide from five metres in the dying seconds of normal time to seal what would have been a smash and grab victory.