world cup – USA survived a sending off to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, while Belgium and England rallied to eliminate Senegal and Congo DR.
Harry Kane has frequently flirted with becoming an NFL placekicker when he quits his first sport. Today, at the home of the Atlanta Falcons, with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Justin Fields watching on in awe, Kane unleashed one of his biggest and best-ever strikes to stamp England into the Round-of-16 end zone. An even greater escape shattered Africa. Belgium, 2-0 down going into the 86th minute, pulled off the Hail Mary against Senegal.
Down the west coast, Folarin Balogun hit ‘The Silencer’ – Lebron James’s trademark celebration – to explode the decibel levels. The Brooklynite’s red card after the break appeared to jeopardise USA’s chances, but Malik Tillman’s free-kick placed them into the next round of this pulsating FIFA World Cup™.
England 2-1 Congo DR
Leopards threatened to kill Lions. One of the deadliest predators in World Cup history, however, struck back at the death to prove who ruled the A-Town jungle. Brian Cipenga gave Congo DR the advantage. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku and Co defended it with their lives. Then, in the 75th minute, Kane headed home a delectable Anthony Gordon delivery to equalise. The 32-year-old wasn’t finished. In the closing minutes, Kane produced arguably the strike of these finals to snatch Thomas Tuchel’s pride a mouth-watering meeting with Mexico.
Belgium 3-2 Senegal AET
How do Les Diables Rouges do it? They trailed Japan by two goals after almost 70 minutes in the first knockout round at Russia 2018, yet emerged triumphant. They were 2-0 down today after 85, but once again rallied to win. Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had the Lions of Teranga cruising, but Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans dramatically sent the encounter to extra time. Then, on a shootout’s cusp, Tielemans won and converted a penalty to book Belgium a stay in Seattle.
USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
It was a drama-drenched day for Folarin Balogun. First the Monaco forward has a goal disallowed. Then he scored one that stood, imitated Lebron James and had the NBA god react to his celebration. Finally Balogun was red-carded. Mauricio Pochettino’s men nevertheless defied their numerical disadvantage thereafter, defending doggedly and finding a second through Malik Tillman’s free-kick. It’s USA-Belgium in the last 16.
Stats
- England won a World Cup knockout game from behind for the first time in 60 years. Geoff Hurst inspired a 4-2 fightback victory over West Germany in the 1966 final.
- Ismaila Sarr scored for the fourth time in North America to equal the African record for one edition held by Cameroonian Roger Milla. Sarr is now one goal shy of Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan’s continental high
