Portugal Put a Hold on US Celebrations, 19 Year Old Wins it for Belgium

Belgium vs Russia

Belgium came into their final game needing a win to guarantee their spot in the next round. Russia wouldn't be eliminated with a loss, but they needed something out of this game to give themselves a better shot at getting into the round of 16. The game was one of few chances. The first clear-cut opportunity fell to Russia just before halftime. A cross in from the left found Kokorin unmarked in the box, but he couldn't direct his header on target. The next big chance didn't come until the 80th minute. Russia on the counterattack manufactured a shot from the top of the box, which ended up just a foot outside the post. Belgium hit the post with a free kick in the 84th minute, but nothing was happening for either team. 4 minutes later Belgium got their goal through the most unlikely of players. Hazard dribbled to the end line and cut it back to Origi, who side footed it past Akinfeev (http://gfycat.com/WavyAgonizingJuliabutterfly). It was the first World Cup goal for the 19 year old, and it sent Belgium into the next round. In order for Russia to advance they will have to beat Algeria by 2 goals in their final match.

South Korea vs Algeria

Both teams came into this game needing a win to give themselves a real chance at qualification. Unlike the first match of the day, this game was filled with goals. The first came in the 26th minute. A long ball over the top was tracked down by Slimani, he out muscled 2 Korean defenders and directed the ball past the goalie (http://gfycat.com/ComposedApprehensiveAndeancondor). Just 2 minutes later Halliche doubled the Algerian lead. He towered above everyone to power the corner home (http://gfycat.com/EvenLeftBrant). It wasn't long before Algeria added a 3rd. Djabou found space in the box and slotted his shot past the keeper (http://gfycat.com/AccomplishedTangibleCoyote). Going into halftime the rout was on for the Algerians. Just 4 minutes into the second half the Koreans gave themselves some hope. A long ball fell kindly to Son and he smashed it through the legs of the Algerian keeper (http://gfycat.com/KindheartedBlissfulAlleycat). In the 62nd minute the Algerians destroyed any hopes of a comeback. A quick give and go in the box led to an easy finish for Brahimi past the Korean keeper (http://gfycat.com/EmbarrassedAshamedBarnacle). In the 72nd minute the Koreans found another consolation goal. A low cross back across the goal found Koo who just had to tap it in (http://gfycat.com/ArcticGrizzledGiantschnauzer). The win gives the Algerians a chance to go through with a win or a tie against Russia in their final game. South Korea, with the loss have been almost certainly eliminated from the competition.

United States vs Portugal

The United States came into the game knowing a win would put them into the next round, it would also send Portugal home. It looked bad for the US just 5 minutes into the game, when a miscue by Geoff Cameron played Nani in on goal. Howard was left with no chance to stop Nani's blast from just a couple yards away (http://gfycat.com/DopeyNearHamadryad). A nightmare start for the United States left them with a tall task to come back against the Portuguese, but they responded well. The US controlled the game for the most part following the early goal, and created the better of the chances in the first half. Fabian Johnson looked dangerous going forward from the defense, and Michael Bradley had a few shots go close, but they couldn't find the equalizer. The best chance for the US came in the 55th minute. A bombing run from Fabian Johnson set up an open goal for Michael Bradley. It was harder for him to miss than it was to score, but his shot hit Ricardo Costa in the knee and went over the bar (http://www.gfycat.com/GoodSadAstrangiacoral). 18 minutes into the 2nd half Jermaine Jones put the US back into the game. A cross fell to the feet of Jones who fired in one of the goals of the tournament (http://gfycat.com/DiscreteFlickeringCockroach). In the 81st minute the United States took the lead. A great run down the right from Yedlin found its way through to Zusi whose ball back across the goal was chested in by Clint Dempsey (http://gfycat.com/WillingPerkyFattaileddunnart). The US fully deserved to be in the lead, they had been the better team all game and with just 30 seconds left in the game they looked to be heading for the next round. But Ronaldo had other plans. A bad give away by Michael Bradley led to a quick counter by the Portuguese. A big cross from Ronaldo found the head of Varela whose header blew by Tim Howard (http://gfycat.com/FirstUnselfishBurro). The goal was the last action of the match. Portugal remain alive, and the US will have to get at least a point to guarantee safety, but they could still advance with a loss if they hold the tiebreaker over the winner of Portugal vs Ghana. 

Group G Standings

Group H Standings