Belgium into last 16 as US denied
Print Edition
THE goals kept coming at the World Cup on Sunday and — unfortunately for the United States — the scoring didn’t stop until the last 30 seconds of its 2-2 draw with Portugal. Both teams stayed alive, while Belgium advanced and Algeria won its first World Cup game in 32 years.
No teams were eliminated on Sunday, but South Korea, Russia and Portugal are on the brink.
An already successful World Cup in Brazil reached its midpoint with another thriller, players’ shirts soaked through and sticky from the humid, steamy conditions in the Amazon rainforest. The Americans were moments away from clinching advancement out of the “Group of Death,” when world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo made an improbable cross for Silvestre Varela’s diving header and equalizer.
Varela’s score capped another day of goals. One third of the games — or 11 total — have featured four of more goals. Thirty-two games down, 32 to go.
“We’ve got a great chance in the ‘Group of Death,’ they say,” US goalkeeper Tim Howard said. “I think we had one foot in the door. Realistically we’ve given ourselves every chance to advance. We’re optimistic.”
The US plays Germany on Thursday. The winner wins the group, and a draw advances both teams to the round of 16. Even the loser has a chance, depending on what happens in the Ghana-Portugal game.
Algeria beat South Korea 4-2 earlier for its first World Cup win since 1982 and just the third victory by an African team in 10 World Cup games here. The Algerians became the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup match.
Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoumene Djabou effectively settled the contest before half-time as Algeria raced into a 3-0 lead. Son Heung-min gave Korea a flicker of hope five minutes after half-time, but Yacine Brahimi made it 4-1 on 62 minutes. Koo Ja-cheol added a consolation goal for Korea.
Russia’s hopes of moving to the knockout stages were diminished by its 0-1 loss to Belgium in Rio de Janeiro, substitute Origi pouncing on 88 minutes to settle a drab encounter at the Maracana Stadium.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said Origi’s match-winning contribution illustrated the depth and hunger in his squad.
“I know people are not happy to be on the bench,” said Wilmots.
Belgium became the sixth country to qualify for the next stage. The others so far are the Netherlands, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica and Argentina. Cameroon, Bosnia, Australia, Spain and England are definitely out.
Things haven’t been so great for Asian teams, however.
South Korea teeters on the verge of elimination after the loss. Asia is at risk of having no team in the next round.
Australia is already sure to be going home, regardless of whether it wins its last match against dethroned champion Spain. Iran, Japan and Korea could follow Australia out the door, even if they win their last matches.
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