Belgium

Argentina (1-0) Belgium

Belgium’s Game Plan: Stop Messi (UPDATE: Messi & Argentina Win)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Lionel Messi: the key to Agentina's success.

UPDATE: The good news for the Belgians is that they kept Argentina’s Lionel Messi from scoring. The bad news is that they didn’t stop Gonzalo Higuain, whose goal just eight minutes into the match was enough for Argentina to win 1-0, and head to the semifinals to play the Netherlands on Wednesday.

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The quarterfinal match between Argentina and Belgium (12 PM ET/4 PM UTC) boils down to one word: Messi.

Belgium’s coach Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said that his team are not favorites against Argentina, but that “there is a lack of balance in their team,” referring to their reliance on Messi. Argentina admits that they perhaps lean on the star player a bit too much, but also acknowledge that he’s a huge asset, and a major part of their success so far. If Belgium can stop Messi, they’re through to the semifinals; if not, they’re on a flight home.

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

USA (2-1) Belgium

United States of Altidore? (UPDATE: No Altidore & No Win)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Jozy Altidore.

UPDATE: After being cleared to play, and after all of the hype, Jozy Altidore never took the field in the United States’ match with Belgium. Whether his absence had an impact is unknown. But what is known is that after a scoreless 90 minutes, Belgium was able to score twice. The US tried to mount a comeback, but was only able to get one goal. With their win, Belgium moves on to face Argentina in the quarterfinals.

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The big news for this match is that key US player Jozy Altidore has been cleared to play after straining his hamstring in the United States’ first match against Ghana. The timing couldn’t be better – the US faces a Belgian team that has yet to lose at the 2014 World Cup, so they’ll need to pull out all the stops to advance. But just before the match comes word that Altidore won’t be starting. Will he makes an appearance in the match? Will his presence alone make the difference? The match starts at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Statue of Liberty vs. Manneken Pis

US Businesses Cheering World Cup Fervor

By Mike Eckel   |

The World Cup has entered its third week of competition with the United States advancing to the next round.

Spirited play by the Americans has already generated a lot of new fans in the US, and is breaking TV viewing records, surpassing even major American sports like baseball and ice hockey.

But it’s not just football fans now raving about the sport. As Mil Arcega reports, some of the biggest fans include bars and restaurants in Washington D.C.

The Belgians and the Americans kick off at 12 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. GMT)

Belgium (1-0) South Korea

Is Belgium Looking to Lose? (UPDATE: Nope!)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Belgium could take a dive to face an easier opponent in the Round of 16.

UPDATE: Belgium wins their match against South Korea, 1-0, and wins Group H. They’ll face the United States in the knockout round on Tuesday.

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You read that right – Belgium could try to lose their match against South Korea today. Belgium has already advanced, so a loss won’t affect their spot in the Round of 16. But it would affect who they play. From FiveThirtyEight.com:

An interesting scenario might unfold in Group H if the U.S. beats Germany. Then Belgium might have an incentive to lose to South Korea and hope that Algeria overtakes it. That would set the Red Devils up with a Round of 16 match against the Americans instead of the Germans.

See if the Belgians take a dive today at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Belgium (1-0) Russia

Belgium vs. Russia: Another Memorable Match 28 Years Later? (UPDATE: Belgium Wins Again)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Belgium vs. the USSR.

UPDATE: Just as they did 28 years ago, Belgium comes away with a victory, but without any extra time. The Belgians beat Russia 1-0, and secured themselves a spot in the Round 0f 16.

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One of the most memorable World Cup matches was in 1986, when Belgium and the Soviet Union played to a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation, before a flurry of goals gave Belgium a 4-3 win in extra time. This year, Belgium and Russia play in their second group matches. With the history between their teams, this is likely to be a competitive match. Play starts at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.