USA Advance as Belgium and England Survive Late Drama.

Details

• The United States controlled long spells in Santa Clara but had to play the final half hour with 10 men after Balogun’s VAR-reviewed red card.
• Malik Tillman sealed the win in the 82nd minute with a curling free-kick, giving the co-hosts their first World Cup knockout victory since 2002.
• Balogun will miss the Round of 16 meeting with Belgium through suspension, with Mauricio Pochettino saying the decision should not have been a red card.
• Belgium looked close to elimination in Seattle after Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr gave Senegal a 2-0 lead.
• Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute before Tielemans equalised three minutes later to force extra time.
• Tielemans then converted a VAR-awarded penalty in the 125th minute after Lamine Camara was judged to have fouled him, leaving Senegal aggrieved.
• Senegal had controlled much of the match and struck the woodwork twice before Belgium’s late comeback changed the tie.
• England fell behind in the seventh minute against DR Congo after Brian Cipenga scored at the near post.
• Lionel Mpasi produced several important saves as DR Congo threatened a major upset before Kane struck in the 75th and 86th minutes.
• Kane’s double took him past Pelé’s World Cup goal tally and moved him to five goals at this tournament.

What Else

• The United States will face Belgium in Seattle without Balogun, leaving Pochettino with a major attacking decision before one of the co-hosts’ biggest games in years.
• England now travel to the Azteca to face Mexico, where a hostile home crowd and Mexico’s unbeaten defensive record could make the tie one of the standout matches of the round.
• It was another painful knockout day for African teams, with DR Congo and Senegal both pushing major sides close before exiting late.