Belgium have booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the World Cup after scoring twice in extra time to knock out the USA in Salvador.

Just 40 seconds had elapsed when Marc Wilmots's side signalled their intent, as Divock Origi - a surprise inclusion - nearly justified his selection but his angled shot was saved by the foot of Tim Howard.

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The USA swiftly developed a foothold and might have taken a 21st-minute lead through Clint Dempsey, who fired straight into the arms of Thibaut Courtois following good interplay with Michael Bradley.

Belgium should have gone ahead moments later as Jan Vertonghen led a counter-attack through the heart of the Americans' midfield but, after squaring to the unmarked Kevin De Bruyne, the former Chelsea man dragged his shot agonisingly wide.

Jurgen Klinsmann's charges finished the half in the ascendancy and spurned a good opportunity to steal a half-time lead, as Jermaine Johnson sliced DeAndre Yedlin's cut-back wide before the break.

Belgium emerged from the interval positively and came within the width of the woodwork from edging ahead, as Origi headed Toby Alderweireld's cross against the bar.

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The Europeans went on to dominate the clash but a series of inspired moments from goalkeeper Howard prevented them from gaining tangible reward for their goalmouth dominance.

The Everton shot-stopper denied Vertonghen from an acute angle and then replicated his heroics to keep out Origi from close range shortly after.

However, second-half substitute Kevin Mirallas was guilty of missing his side's best chance of the game, racing through on goal but the attacker fluffed his lines and his Toffees teammate Howard emerged victorious from the one-on-one.

Wilmots's side could, and perhaps should, have stolen victory in the closing stages when De Bruyne crossed for the unmarked Vincent Kompany, but the skipper's scuffed effort was palmed away by Howard once more.

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Belgium finally made their pressure count by taking the lead in the third minute of extra time. Substitute Romelu Lukaku broke free down the right and pulled the ball back to De Bruyne, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

Lukaku was proving to be a handful for the USA defence and after working some space inside the box, he saw his powerful shot blocked by Howard.

Belgium continued to dominate and Mirallas nearly added a second when he was fed through on goal, but again Howard made the save.

They quickly made amends by extending their lead at the end of the first half of extra time. From a quick break, De Bruyne drove towards the edge of the box before feeding the ball into the path of Lukaku, who fired an effort into the roof of the net.

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The USA pushed forward in search of a goal and they found the net in the 17th minute of extra time. Bradley floated a pass over the top for Julian Green, who then volleyed an effort into the far corner past Courtois.

They were then inches away from levelling the scores as Jermaine Jones latched on to Chris Wondolowski's flick, but he could only poke his effort wide of the post.

Klinsmann's side came close again as from a well-worked free kick Dempsey was played through on goal and saw his point-black effort kept out by Courtois.

However, Belgium managed to survive a late onslaught from the USA to claim the win and set up a quarter-final clash against Argentina.

Written by
Shane Callaghan