USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann has backed his team to defeat Belgium and reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The Americans, who return to action on Tuesday, made it through to the last 16 by finishing in second place in Group G.

Klinsmann believes that his side now has enough momentum, following matches against the likes of Portugal and Germany, to take them past Belgium and further into the tournament.

"We have enough confidence now going into this game – a very special one, a knockout game – to say we are able to beat them," he is quoted as saying by Goal.com.

"Belgium are one of the secret favourites in this World Cup because of the players, individual players, that they have. We have absolutely no fear at all. We feel like we are in a position now to challenge."

The USA's previous best appearance at the World Cup was a third-placed finish back in 1930.

Written by
Jack Prescott