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PHOTOS: Presidents Obama, Hollande struck by World Cup fever!
Even President Barack Obama could not escape the World Cup fever. He keenly watched the US take on Belgium in the Round of 16 match on Tuesday.
The Belgians scored twice in extra-time and looked to have the game put away when the underdog Americans scored a late goal. But time ran out and the US lost 1-2.
"Go Team USA." —President Obama #USMNT," Obama had written on Twitter before the start of the match.
Strong performances by the US team in Brazil had ignited passions in a country not known for its love of soccer, and free viewing parties were held from coast to coast while fans crammed into sports bars and restaurants.
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PHOTOS: Presidents Obama, Hollande struck by World Cup fever!
Belgium dominated normal time and were frustrated by an inspired US goalkeeper Tim Howard, who set a new World Cup record by making 15 saves in the match.
Belgium struck early in extra-time, when De Bruyne collected the ball before turning and firing home an angled shot from seven metres.
Substitute striker Lukaku powered home a second in the 105th minute after a clever De Bruyne pass before Julian Green's volley at the start of the second period set up a pulsating finale in which Clint Dempsey almost sneaked an equaliser.
The US could have sealed it at the end of normal time but substitute Chris Wondolowski skewed his effort horribly wide from five metres.
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PHOTOS: Presidents Obama, Hollande struck by World Cup fever!
Earlier, Obama had watched the match between the US and Germany.
The US were beaten 0-1 by Germany but advanced to the last 16 seeing off Portugal and Ghana.
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PHOTOS: Presidents Obama, Hollande struck by World Cup fever!
French President Francois Hollande was also glued to his television set as he watched Les Blues get the better of Nigeria to enter the quarter-finals.
France ended Nigeria’s hopes of a first World Cup quarter-final appearance when they scored two late goals to beat the Super Eagles 2-0 in a rough second-round match on Monday.
Paul Pogba put France ahead in the 79th minute, heading in at the far post after Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama flapped at Mathieu Valbuena’s corner following a sustained spell of French pressure.