The countdown to the is on! Every day forward of the event’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports activities will spotlight an perception or second that showcases simply how grand the world’s largest sporting spectacle has develop into — even past the expanded discipline of this yr’s international occasion.
A aim distinction tiebreaker helped the U.S. advance out of Group G on the 2014 World Cup in Russia, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal out of the knockout stage for the primary time since 2002.
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That arrange a Spherical of 16 matchup in opposition to Belgium, which went an ideal 3-0-0 in group play with just one aim allowed. The Belgians dominated over 90 minutes, forcing U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard to consistently be on his toes.
Within the third minute of second-half stoppage time, Chris Wondolowski had an excellent probability to win it, however his shot sailed over the crossbar, forcing the sport into further time. Belgium saved attacking and Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku scored 12 minutes aside to steer a 2-1 victory.
In all, Howard would make 16 saves, setting the document for many saves in a match since 1966 when FIFA started preserving observe of the statistic.
“That is my job,” Howard mentioned afterward. “That is what I signed as much as do. It is a part of it. In these large video games in opposition to top of the range competitors the levee goes to interrupt sooner or later if we proceed that. Hats off to Belgium they had been improbable. Oddly sufficient whenever you’re within the sport you actually don’t take into consideration that. You sort of repair the issue and also you assume you are able to do it.”
2026 World Cup countdown: 100 days of info, stats and tales
(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports activities)
Belgium’s World Cup would finish within the quarterfinals as Lionel Messi and Argentina would proceed their run to the ultimate with a 1-0 victory.