Himal Press 
Photo: AP
KATHMANDU: The United States, Belgium and England have secured their places in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup after winning their respective Round of 32 matches on Matchday 21.
The USA recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday morning, scoring once in each half to seal progression. Folarin Balogun opened the scoring just before halftime when he finished after Malik Tillman’s initial pass was deflected in the box.
Balogun, however, was sent off in the 65th minute after the referee, following a VAR review, ruled that he had stepped on Bosnia’s Muharemovic’s ankle. Despite being reduced to 10 men, the USMNT doubled their lead in the 82nd minute when Tillman curled a free kick directly into the net to complete the win.
Earlier, Belgium produced one of the tournament’s biggest comebacks, as they recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time.
Senegal looked in control after Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr put them 2-0 ahead. However, Belgium launched a late fightback as Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute following a pass from Youri Tielemans. Tielemans then levelled the match in the 89th minute and forced the match into extra time. The Belgian midfielder then scored from the spot after Senegal were penalized for bringing Tielemans down inside the box.
England also survived a scare before overcoming DR Congo 2-1. Brian Cipenga stunned the Three Lions with a seventh-minute opener, but Harry Kane turned the game around with a second-half brace.
Kane equalised with a header in the 75th minute from Anthony Gordon’s cross before scoring the winner in the 86th minute after another assist from Gordon.
Belgium will meet the US in the last 16 match on July 7, while England will play against Mexico on July 6.
