Belgian barrage beats Howard, US

After Ottmar Hitzfeld's Swiss side missed a chance against Argentina, ex-Germany boss Jürgen Klinsmann could not lead the US national team into the last eight. Had either he or Hitzfeld won on Tuesday, they could have become the first German coach to lead a country other than Germany into the quarters.

Belgium stated their intent in Salvador in the very first minute, when Kevin de Bruyne fed teenage striker Divock Origi for a shot on goal. Tim Howard got down low to parry away for a corner. The names changed but the fundamental story stayed the same throughout regulation time. Belgium made markedly more chances than their opponents, but a mixture of profligacy and Howard's heroics kept the game at 0-0 right through until extra-time. Dries Mertens, de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini, even left-back Jan Vertonghen: Howard denied them all at some point in the match as Belgium fired 23 shots at his goal just in regulation time.

The US were also forced into an early tactical change when Fabian Johnson went off with a strained hamstring. Yet youngster DeAndre Yedlin came off the bench and managed to fill Johnson's big boots with a standout perfomance.

Marc Wilmots' Belgian side had not scored before the 70th minute all World Cup, but for the first time the Red Devils went the full 90 without finding the net. Chris Wondolowski of the US had a golden chance in stoppage time to provide the winner against the run of play, but blasted wildly over the bar from close in. The officials called Wondolowski back for offside, although replays proved they were mistaken. Thus the striker did FIFA a favor by spurning the chance and neutering any officiating scandal.

Germany vs. Algeria revisited in extra time

Just like the German match against Algeria, which stood 0-0 in regulation time, the favorites struck almost immediately after the restart. Some sloppy play from key US men Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey allowed Belgium to pinch possession and play in de Bruyne in the box.

The Wolfsburg star made no mistake, firing a low placed shot into the far corner, leaving the otherwise exemplary Howard a helpless spectator. The intensive and defensive effort invested by Klinsmann's side started to tell in extra time, and it was only exacerbated by the disappointment of finally conceding.

Belgium's introduction of Romelu Lukaku up front also provided the Red Devils with more late attacking impetus against tired legs. Lukaku forced Howard into two stoppage time saves before scoring Belgium's second, seemingly sealing the match.

In what seemed like an admission of defeat at the time, Klinsmann brought on US-German Bayern Munich academy star Julian Green as his third and final substitute on the stroke of 105 minutes. Immediately after the extra-time restart, 19-year-old Green volleyed the US back into contention, scoring with practically his first touch of the game. The goal unsettled Belgium and the US started to pour forward, running on adrenaline with the prospect of penaties suddenly revived. But by the skin of their teeth at the end of an exhilarating game, the Belgians were able to hold out to win 2-1.