Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the World Cup last-16 match between Belgium and USA.

The first seven matches in the second round may have not produced a whole lot of goals, but they haven't been short of drama - could we be in for something similar this evening? Quite possibly. Belgium, for the large part, have been disappointing but they've managed to strike late in each of their group games while USA, while technically flawed, have delivered three performances full of passion and determination. It's a close one to call.

The first thing that we should all hope for is a better match than the one that took place in Sao Paulo earlier today! After a dire 90 minutes, Argentina finally manage to get past a plucky Switzerland side thanks to a goal from Angel di Maria two minutes from the end of extra time. They await the victors of tonight's match.

Without further ado, let's get onto the team news.

BELGIUM XI: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten, Vertonghen; Fellaini, Witsel, De Bruyne; Mertens, Origi, Hazard

As expected, Marc Wilmots makes plenty of alterations to the team that he selected for Belgium's final group game with South Korea. Vincent Kompany, Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard all return, while there is a first start in the World Cup for striker Divock Origi, who replaces the out-of-form Romelu Lukaku.

USA XI: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Cameron; Jones, Bradley, Bedoya, Zusi, Beasley; Dempsey

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann has decided to make two changes to the team that lost to Germany last Thursday. Geoff Cameron and Alejandro Bedoya have been drafted into the starting lineup, with Brad Davis and Kyle Beckerman finding themselves on the substitutes' bench.

It's also worth noting that striker Jozy Altidore has been cleared to play a part in this match after sustaining a hamstring strain at the start of the tournament. He could potentially have an influence on the game during the second half.

This tournament has seen a number of the world's top players struggle to make an impact, and one of those is present in the Belgium team this evening. Winger Eden Hazard enjoyed a stellar campaign with Chelsea, but he has so far failed to produce the goods in Brazil. Don't worry though, Belgium fans - the 22-year-old insists that his best is still to come.

Ahead of tonight's game, Jurgen Klinsmann has questioned the appointment of Algerian official Djamel Haimoudi. The referee has endured an impressive tournament but Klinsmann has suggested that FIFA could have opted to select a different official after Algeria's World Cup campaign was brought to a premature halt four years ago thanks to a last-minute goal from USA.

Before we consider who could play a significant role in tonight's game, let me bring your attention to our Stat Centre. By clicking here, you can take a look back at all of the previous games in the tournament, while seeing who is topping the attacking and defensive standings.

BELGIUM KEY MAN! He may have endured an indifferent time at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season but former Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has really flourished at this World Cup. He is yet to trouble the score sheet, but the 23-year-old has looked a level above many of his midfield opponents so far with his skill, speed and eye for a pass. The USA are likely to bring an intense tempo to tonight's affair, but De Bruyne could help his side by acting as the starting point for his team's counter-attacks.

USA KEY MAN! Jurgen Klinsmann's side may have been missing the strength and size of Jozy Altidore, but Clint Dempsey managed to work wonders for his side during the group stages. His opening-minute goal got USA's tournament off to the perfect start, and as well as chipping in with another against Portugal, the former Fulham man has held up the ball superbly and added plenty of invention in the final third. He will have a big role to play this evening.

We've just 15 minutes to go until kickoff in Salvador. I think that it's time for a prediction...

PREDICTION! This match is such a tough one to call. Belgium's superior ability could shine through by the final whistle, but the USA have already shown in this tournament that they don't care for reputations. I'm going for 1-1 at full time with Belgium sneaking it in the extra period.

I hope that I'm wrong though - some of us have to be up at 6am in the morning, so if my reporting becomes biased for a win for either side in the closing stages, you will understand why...

Don't tell me that the World Cup means nothing in the United States...

Soldier Field is ready #USMNT pic.twitter.com/xkwM2qY82I — Sports Comedy (@SportsComedy_) July 1, 2014

The two teams are out on the pitch and observing their national anthems. There's a few nervous faces, but that's to be expected - a World Cup quarter-final against Argentina awaits the winner!

We are underway in Salvador.

CHANCE! What a start for Belgium! Remember what I said about Kevin de Bruyne? The Wolfsburg man broke forward with pace before playing in Divock Origi, but despite his first touch freeing him of his marker, he could only fire the ball straight at Tim Howard from 10 yards.

Belgium have really accelerated out of the blocks. Soon after Origi's chance, they earned a corner, but it was well cleared by the USA defence.

The USA have started to settle into this match now. DaMarcus Beasley showed plenty of pace down the left flank to send a cross into the middle, but under pressure from Marouane Fellaini, the cross landed on top of Thibaut Courtois's net.

Even in these early stages, it's becoming apparent that Belgium are targeting the direct ball to Divock Origi in behind the USA defence. They may need to vary that up as the game progresses.

After Belgium win a corner, a game of head-ball takes place in front of the USA goal, but they somehow manage to get the ball out of danger.

This could be a worry for Belgium. Divock Origi is down clutching his foot after Matt Besler barged into the back of him. He's receiving treatment from the physio but it looks as though he is going to be fine to continue.

PITCH INVADER ALERT! A fan, sporting a blue t-shirt that could have been supporting something, makes his way onto the pitch and stadium security are showing an alarming lack of urgency to catch him, but he gives himself in, eventually. Jurgen Klinsmann and Marc Wilmots didn't look overly impressed...

Apart from the opening minute, that was the most exciting moment of the match. Let's hope it improves, especially in front of goal.

CHANCE! That didn't take long! Michael Bradley dances his way into the final third before the ball rebounds into the path of Clint Dempsey, but the Seattle Sounders attacker watched on as Thibaut Courtois comfortably dealt with his 15-yard shot.

CHANCE! Now Belgium should be ahead! Jan Vertonghen wins the ball in the middle of the park before leading a Belgium break-away. The Tottenham Hotspur defender bides his time before laying the ball off to Kevin de Bruyne, but the midfielder hooks his 12-yard shot wide of the post. That should have been a goal.

I don't think that Spurs fans will recognise this version of Jan Vertonghen. He is everywhere. The defender got to the byline before drilling the ball across the penalty area, but a USA defender got back to clear the danger.

This is a wonderful game now. I'm taking full credit for its improvement. After a USA counter-attack was ended by Vincent Kompany, Belgium advanced up the other end through Eden Hazard, but his 30-yard strike was easily saved by Tim Howard.

INJURY! Huge blow for the United States. Fabian Johnson, who has enjoyed a fine tournament, has pulled up with a hamstring injury and he is going to be replaced by DeAndre Yedlin.

Yedlin's first contribution is to win a corner, and after the set piece is delivered into the penalty area, Climt Dempsey shows superb close control before laying the ball off to Jermaine Jones, but he drags his shot from 25 yards wide of the post.

Dries Mertens has been extremely quiet, but he battles hard to set up a chance for Kevin de Bruyne to break. The midfielder finds his former Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard on the left, but after cutting inside, he saw a shot blocked.

Here's a picture of the pitch invader. We don't condone pitch invading at Sports Mole, but the man in question appears to be promoting an important cause.

To those slagging the pitch invader during #BELvsUSA match I'd say the bloke was making a fair point. Look. pic.twitter.com/QLtEsgsBql — Des Kelly (@DesKellyBTS) July 1, 2014

Both teams are pushing hard for an opening goal, but we remain at 0-0. It's a very open game, though, and without putting the mockers on it, you wouldn't have thought that it will end 0-0. Vincent Kompany has just gone into the book.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

Belgium break through the pacey Divock Origi, but after he cuts the ball across to Kevin de Bruyne, the midfielder saw his quick-thinking effort from 20 yards well saved by Tim Howard.

The referee blows the half-time whistle in Salvador and we are goalless at the break. However, after the first 20 minutes, it's been a tremendous affair with both teams prepared to throw caution to the wind in attack. A goal should be just around the corner...

USA, somewhat surprisingly, had the most possession during that opening half, but they have seen their opponents create as many as nine chances on goal and eight corners. However, apart from Divock Origi's chance inside the opening 60 seconds, the European side have failed to test Tim Howard.

Despite going in level at the break, Marc Wilmots could opt to change his lineup at the break. The likes of Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens have hardly featured, and the Belgium coach may decide that he has seen enough. As for the United States, Jurgen Klinsmann is likely to keep things the way they are.

The two teams are heading back out for the second half. Let's hope for a goal or two in this second half. Belgium get the match back underway.

USA maintain possession at the start of the half, but they get dispossessed and Belgium break. Divock Origi and Kevin de Bruyne combine well before De Bruyne crosses for Dries Mertens, who sees a floated header tipped over the crossbar by Tim Howard.

Belgium have looked very sharp since the restart. They were playing at a pretty high tempo anyway, but Marc Wilmots looks to have told his side to shift the ball that little bit faster. Marouane Fellaini tries his luck from 30 yards but his shot is always going over the crossbar.

CHANCE! How haven't Belgium scored there? Jan Vertonghen bombs down the left before delivering the most teasing of crosses into the middle but after the ball has too much on it for Kevin de Bruyne, it goes through the legs of Divock Origi at the back post who should have tapped home.

WOODWORK! USA are very much on the rack. Toby Alderweireld crosses for Divock Origi, who heads the ball onto the crossbar. Moments later, Alderweireld drives another ball into the area for Jan Vertonghen, who smashes a volley marginally over the crossbar. That would have been twice as good as the goals from Tim Cahill and James Rodriguez and that's saying something!

CHANCE! Divock Origi is really coming into his own in this match. He drives into the penalty area, taking the ball past two defenders in the process, before crossing for Dries Mertens at the near post, but the Napoli man's flick goes wide from six yards.

The USA are trying to take a breather, and I don't blame them. They've well and truly been second best since the break, and I have no idea how Belgium aren't ahead. Kevin Mirallas has replaced Dries Mertens.

Some of the American players look exhausted. You'd have to say that Jurgen Klinsmann could be forced into a change or two in the next few moments. Belgium create another chance through Alex Witsel, but his low drive goes wide of the post from 20 yards.

CHANCE! How many more chances does Divock Origi need? Kevin Mirallas causes all sorts of confusion inside the USA penalty area, but after the ball broke to Origi, he side-footed it straight at Tim Howard from inside the penalty area.

SHOT! Clint Dempsey has acres of space in front of him after picking up the ball on the halfway line, but after driving towards the defence, his left-foot strike was straight at Thibaut Courtois.

CHANCE! Marc Wilmots is going to be furious if Belgium don't win this match. Divork Origi shows a quick turn of foot to rid himself of his marker before playing in Kevin Mirallas, but despite only having Tim Howard to beat, the American stopper denies his Everton teammate from 12 yards.

SAVE! Kevin Mirallas has been superb since his introduction and he displays his lightning pace down the right before crossing the ball into the middle. It fails to find Marouane Fellaini, but Eden Hazard is waiting behind his teammate, although he sees his effort kept out by Tim Howard.

USA are defending for their lives! After a corner is only half-cleared, Vincent Kompany sends the ball through to Daniel van Buyten, but the defender sees his shot blocked by the excellent Matt Besler.

SHOT! Eden Hazard plays the ball into Divock Origi on the edge of the area, but after deciding against playing a one-two with his teammate, he fires a super effort on goal that is tipped over the crossbar by Tim Howard.

CHANCE! How many more chances do Belgium need to win this match? Kevin de Bruyne accelerates towards the final third before playing the ball in for Eden Hazard, who shoots wide from an acute angle when he perhaps had better options in the middle.

CHANCE! Unbelievable. Belgium just can't find a way past Tim Howard. Kevin de Bruyne crosses into the middle for Vincent Kompany, but the captain's scuffed effort is turned away by the American stopper. There will be three minutes of added-on time.

We are heading into extra time in Salvador, but no-one has any idea how. It has been an incredible match, and USA are effectively running on empty, but they could have won it in the final minute through Chris Wondolowski, but the striker volleyed the ball over from six yards. Fortunately for the 31-year-old, he was flagged offisde, but it was the wrong call by the assistant.

Marc Wilmots has decided to replace Divock Origi with Romelu Lukaku. The Chelsea striker has been poor in this tournament, but that can't be a welcome sight for USA.

USA get us underway at the start of extra time.

Finally, we have a goal, and Belgium have taken the lead in Salvador. Romelu Lukaku deserves much of the credit after muscling Matt Besler off the ball on the halfway line before advancing to the byline. His initial cut-back was blocked, but the ball was picked up by Kevin de Bruyne, who took the ball past a defender before firing low into the corner from eight yards.

You feel as though it's going to take some effort from USA to come back from that. They are really beginning to lag at the back. Romelu Lukaku looks ready to capitalise, but on this occasion, his low strike is turned away at the near post by Tim Howard.

SAVE! Whatever happens for the rest of this match, Tim Howard has the man-of-the-match award sewn up. The Everton stopper is forced to save to his right after Romelu Lukaku fired a powerful effort on goal from inside the penalty area.

OUCH! Jermaine Jones is in the wars tonight! After taking a knock to his ankle a couple of moments ago, he has just received an almighty whack to the face from Kevin de Bruyne, who smashed the ball towards the American from point-blank range. Play was quickly stopped, but the Besiktas man is fine.

Belgium double their lead in Salvador, and that is surely that. Kevin de Bruyne bided his time before playing in Romelu Lukaku, who fired a first-time shot on the turn inside the near post from 12 yards.

Belgium have all but assured their place in the last eight with that burst in the opening 15 minutes of extra time. We are back underway.

What a crazy match! Julian Green, who has just been introduced as a substitute, was found by the most delicate of passes from Michael Bradley, and the Bayern Munich youngster volleyed first time into the top corner.

CHANCE! If anyone has seen a better period of extra time than this, then please write to is. Romelu Lukaku controls a high ball before turning to run at the defence. He gets past two players before firing on goal, but Tim Howard makes yet another vital stop.

USA win a free kick 30 yards from goal after a foul by substitute Nacer Chadli. They couldn't, could they?

CHANCE! Oh my word. Whoever created that free-kick routine, take a bow. A short one is taken into the box and diverted into the path of Clint Dempsey, but Thibaut Courtois makes a miraculous save from eight yards out. That would have been stunning.

Belgium are having to defend for their lives. It's a complete role reversal to that of the conclusion of the second half. Vincent Kompany is forced to make a block in front of his six-yard box after more pressure from USA.

CHANCE! That could be USA's final chance. The ball was floated to the back post for DeAndre Yedlin, but his volley is fired well wide of the goal. There will be one minute of added-on time.

Anddd breathe. The full-time whistle goes in Salvador and Belgium have hung on to record a 2-1 victory over USA. That was the best match of the World Cup so far.

Belgium did more than enough to win that match in normal time, but the USA are so unfortunate not to have taken the game to penalties. That was an unbelievable spectacle. Incredible.

Belgium will now play Argentina in the quarter-finals. That should be some match!

That will be all from Sports Mole's coverage of this match. Thank you for joining us for what turned out to be such a memorable 120 minutes. The World Cup takes a break for a couple of days now, but we hope that you return on Friday for the start of the last eight. Goodbye for now.