Belgium showed plenty of attacking ideas even if they needed extra-time to beat the United States. After four successive wins the Red Devils are confident Argentina can be the next scalp in Brasilia on Saturday.
Marc Wilmots told his players two flights were booked for them: one to go back to Belgium; the other for Brasilia for a quarterfinal.
“They made a choice. They want to go to Brasilia,” he said.
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The 2-1 extra-time victory over the United States in Salvador on Tuesday means Belgium are now heading for a quarterfinal clash with Argentina on Saturday.
They have an opportunity of emulating the nation’s golden generation of players who reached the last four in Mexico 1986, only to be beaten by Argentina.
At the Arena Fonte Nova, Wilmot’s players were close to not boarding the plane to Brasilia after the US fought back in the second half of extra-time.
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After taking a 2-0 lead in the extra period through Kevin de Bruyne and substitute Romelu Lukaku, the Belgians appeared shocked when substitute Julian Green came on to score, and the reds nearly conceded a second.
Belgium, who had dominated the game but were repeatedly foiled by Tim Howard in goal, were defending desperately and several players were flagging.
Wilmots, however, says it will be no problem recovering in four days against a side that also needed extra-time to overcome Switzerland earlier in the day in Sao Paulo, thanks to a late strike from Angel Di Maria.
“I saw a couple of guys who were tired. When you are tired you fall back,” Wilmots said. “Fortunately we have good players but a ball can come. Perhaps it was a bit of inexperience. We wanted to score a third goal and go to the corner and use our time, but you can’t do everything. It’s step by step — baby steps.” Wilmots has been encouraged by an attacking display after criticism that the team had been dour in chalking up three successive wins in the group stage.
Captain Vincent Kompany, who had been struggling with a groin strain, came through without a problem and fellow defender Thomas Vermaelen should be back in contention for Argentina in a further boost for the coach.
“Four days is enough,” he said of the short recovery period. “We will have Vermaelen back, (midfielder Steven) Defour will be back (following suspension), and we have guys on the bench who are in good shape and fit. I am sure they won’t be tired. They will be ready for it.”
Wilmots this time brought Lukaku off the bench for the extra 30 minutes, replacing 19-year-old Lille striker Divock Origi.
“Divock played a very good match but he didn’t deliver with a goal. I felt this was Romelu’s moment and he made some space and he did it today and I am extremely proud of him. It was a top performance,” Wilmots said.
The performance of de Bruyne, who scored one goal, made another and was involved in most of Belgium’s best forward play, must have also pleased Wilmots who saw several other players excel.
Now Wilmots turns his attention to Argentina, a team he believes his side can match despite the threat of Lionel Messi and the attacking creativity of players like Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain.
“There is a lack of balance in that team,” he said. “They play with five defenders, so we will have to be creative. I want to see what they will do to trouble us but I have everything in my head already, don’t worry. They had tough matches as well. For once we are not favourites but I don’t mind. We are going to burn ourselves, we are going to make sure we play well maybe against a stronger opponent. Everybody is at a high level and a small detail will make the difference.”
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann can also reflect on small details making the difference after his side — inspired by man-of-the-match Howard — came close right at the end to taking Belgium to a penalty shootout.
The former German striker and coach will be guiding the US team further to the next World Cup in Russia, having signed a contract extension in December which will keep him with the national squad until 2018.
“I’m proud of the players not just for what they’ve done tonight, but what they’ve done throughout the tournament,” he said.
“They’ve made the country proud. The sport in the USA will only continue to grow. It’s getting stronger and there’s a lot to build on going forward.”