‘My heart almost failed’ says Belgium coach as Romelu Lukaku breaks American resistance

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said he suffered near heart failure as his side recorded a 2-1 extra time victory over the United States.

The Red Devils failed to take any of numerous chances in the 90 minutes, then scored twice to seemingly settle the game before allowing the US back into the contest in an edge-of-the-seat finish.

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

In a pulsating extra time period, substitute Romelu Lukaku powered home a second on 105 minutes after a neat De Bruyne pass before Julian Green’s volley ensured a tense finish in which Clint Dempsey almost sneaked an equaliser for the US.

“Usually at this level of football when you miss that many chances you don’t advance, even if you play fantastically. But we were able to show mental strength and a physical level to see us through,” Wilmots said.