Belgium vs USA: Player Ratings From the Red Devils' Thrilling Victory
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Belgium Head Coach Marc Wilmots Belgium defeated the USA in extra time in their Round of 16 tie in Salvador in perhaps the game of the tournament to progress to the quarter-finals where they will face Argentina. Here are the ratings for the two sides.
6. Belgium: Goalkeeper and Defenders Thibaut Courtois - 6 - Was never troubled majorly throughout the game, made some comfortable saves. Toby Alderweireld - 6 - Got forward well but did struggle at times to defend against pace down his side. Vincent Kompany - 7 - Typical performance, always in position and almost scored one of the goals of the tournament at the end of normal time. Daniel Van Buyten - 6 - Had a quietly effective game, working well with his captain at the heart of the defence. Jan Vertonghen - 6 - Struggled defensively at full-back ,but was constantly a threat going forward getting in some good crosses.
5. Belgium: Midfielders Axel Witsel - 7 - Controlled the midfield well, started a lot of attacks from deep with his passing and was defensively solid. Marouane Fellaini - 6 - Did well in advanced positions in setting team-mates up but looked a bit lost defensively at times. Dries Mertens - 6 - Looked a threat for the most part but lacked the end product before being replaced after an hour. Kevin De Bruyne - 7 - Often found space, but was again poor in the final third until extra time when he netted the first goal and set up the second. Eden Hazard - 6 - Quiet for the most part, struggled to make inroads against the USA full-backs.
4. Belgium: Strikers and Substitutes Divock Origi - 7 - Had to come deep for the ball a lot in the first half, but got more involved in the second and caused a lot of problems. Substitutes Kevin Mirallas - 7 - Added some directness to the attacks and his pace was a big factor against tiring legs in extra time. Romelu Lukaku - 8 - Came on at the start of extra time and changed the game, assisting the first goal and netting the second. Nacer Chadli - 5 - Came on in the second half of extra time and had little impact on the game.
3. USA: Goalkeeper and Defenders Tim Howard - 9 - Was absolutely outstanding all night. Made 16 saves which is the most in a World Cup since records began. Fabian Johnson - 5 - Only lasted half an hour as he picked up a hamstring injury, failed to make an impact. Omar Gonzalez - 6 - Headed a lot of crosses away throughout, really began to tire in extra time and couldn't handle Lukaku. Matt Besler - 7 - Produced some incredible last ditch tackles and read the game excellently. DaMarcus Beasley - 7 - Was his best game of the tournament, solid defensively and his pace caused a lot of problems going forward.
2. USA: Midfielders Geoff Cameron - 6 - Looked out of place at first in midfield but grew into the game and put in a good shift. Michael Bradley - 7 - Produced a tireless performance and provided a wonderful pass for the goal. Jermaine Jones - 6 - Another performance full of energy, but was lacking in quality on the ball and was wasteful near the end. Graham Zusi - 5 - Often caught in possession and failed to help out his full-back defensively. Alejandro Bedoya - 6 - Not much of a threat going forward, but put in a good shift defensively down his wing.
1. USA: Strikers and Substitutes Clint Dempsey - 6 - Was often isolated up front and struggled to get into the game before missing the golden chance to equalise in extra time. Substitutes DeAndre Yedlin - 8 - Came on at full-back in the first half and was absolutely brilliant, causing a lot of problems going forward and kept Hazard quiet throughout. Chris Wondolowski - 5 - Missed a glorious chance to win it in normal time and rarely got involved in extra time. Julian Green - 7 - Came on at half time in extra time and scored a wonderful goal as well as causing a tired defence numerous problems.
