World Cup 2014 – Scout Notes – Matchday 4, Day 4

Kevin de Bruyne grabs a goal and assist as Belgium eventually find a way past Tim Howard to defeat the USA 2-1 in extra-time. Argentina also need 120 minutes to get the better of Switzerland, with Angel di Maria firing the winner after excellent work from Lionel Messi:

De Bruyne the Hero for Belgium
Faced with a defiant Tim Howard between the posts, Belgium seemed destined not to reach the quarter-finals last night. Marc Wilmots’ side fired an incredible 39 attempts on goal, with 17 efforts on target, but were denied time and again by the inspired Everton stopper before de Bruyne came to the rescue. Handed a role in “the hole” behind Divock Origi, the former Chelsea man opened the scoring just three minutes into extra-time before teeing up sub Romelu Lukaku for the second, as his Fantasy owners were rewarded for holding after de Bruyne was rested for the final group game against South Korea.

Wilmots made six changes to his starting line-up for last night’s clash. Only Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Daniel Van Buyten, Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens kept their places as the likes of Eden Hazard, de Bruyne and fit-again Vincent Kompany were recalled, whilst up front, Origi was rewarded for a couple of eye-catching sub displays in the previous couple of matches. Lukaku’s goal off the bench suggests Wilmots has decisions to make ahead of the clash with Argentina but with so much uncertainty surrounding the lone forward role, many will choose to overlook Belgium’s forward options and turn to de Bruyne, who, with a goal and two assists, has played a part in more goals that any team-mate.

Green Ruins Belgium Clean Sheet
Thrown on as a sub with his side 2-0 down, Julian Green needed just two minutes to claw one back for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side. The strike was the first time Thibaut Courtois had been beaten in open play in the tournament – previously, Belgium’s only goal against came courtesy of the spot in the group opener with Algeria. With their backline looking solid, those currently holding Belgium defensive options may well choose to retain them ahead of a clash with an Argentina side that has scored just once in two of their last three matches and, aside from the occasional flash of brilliance from Messi, have looked far from convincing up front.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, four of Belgium’s top five performers for recovered balls were defenders. Daniel Van Buyten led the way with 13, followed by Jan Vertonghen (11), Vincent Kompany (nine), midfielder Axel Witsel (eight) and Toby Alderweireld, with seven. Similarly, the USA’s main men also plied their trade at the back, with Matt Besler (eight), Geoff Cameron and Omar Gonzalez (seven apiece) and DaMarcus Beasley (six) all catching the eye.

Di Maria Breaks Swiss Resistance
The Real Madrid man atoned for a poor overall display by slotting home a late extra-time winner to send Argentina into the last eight. Di Maria posed the main goal threat for Alejandro Sabella’s side, firing 12 attempts on goal, but in an erratic display, mustered just three efforts on target – Lionel Messi had a quiet game by comparison, producing just two shots over the 120 minutes, though his Fantasy owners were treated to an assist after a superb pass for the winner.

Sabella made just one alteration to his starting line-up yesterday, bringing in Ezequiel Lavezzi for the injured Sergio Aguero up front. The Argentina boss will be without Marcos Rojo for the clash with Belgium after the left-back’s second caution of the tournament triggered a one-match ban – Jose Basanta replaced Rojo late on and looks the likeliest starter in a backline which has now delivered two clean sheets in the last three fixtures.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Switzerland edged it for recovered balls by 67 to 64. Ricardo Rodriguez and Johan Djourou led the way for Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side with 11 apiece, with Valon Behrami (nine), Fabian Schar (seven), Gorkan Inler (six) and Admir Mehmedi (five) next in line. For Argentina, Federico Fernandez was the best performer with 10, followed by Ezequiel Garay and Javier Mascherano (nine apiece), Marcos Rojo (seven), Pablo Zabaleta and Fernando Gago (both six.)