What the local media say

當地媒體的聲音

As well as having the largest contingent of visiting fans in Brazil, soccer fever is sweeping the States. “Business came to a halt at many companies nationwide as employees gathered in break rooms and huddled around television sets,” reported a mildly astonished Washington Post. “Many others left work early for the day, settling into bar stools or living-room couches. In fact, one day earlier Klinsmann encouraged soccer fans to skip work, sending an excuse note via Twitter for fans to deliver to their bosses.”

在巴西，美國擁有最多的現場觀戰球迷；國內，足球狂潮也是席卷各地。美國《華盛頓郵報》：“員工都在休息室里、電視機前扎堆，國內很多公司因此暫停了營業。很多人早早下班，或是貓在酒吧里或是窩在沙發上。比賽還沒開始，美國隊主帥克林斯曼就在推特上吆喝，號召大家翹班請假看比賽。”

The Belgians, meanwhile, seem quietly optimistic. “While Belgium failed to impress and to dominate their opponents so far, they won yet again,” says Dere Dactie in Belgium. “The squad is emerging as a team that’s hard to manoeuvre. Belgium haven’t let a goal in, bar a penalty, and can count on a world-class goalkeeper. In attack, a touch of genius can be enough to decide the match.”

比利時人也是信心滿滿，不過表現卻相對平靜。比利時《Dere Dactie》報：“截至目前，比利時表現不怎么出彩，進的球也不多，但仍舊是節節勝利。對對手來說，要想控制比利時越來越難了。防守上，我們有一流的門將，擋得住球門，撲得了點球。進攻上，天才球員靈光一閃，足以制勝。”

Key battle: Axel Witsel vs Michael Bradley

關鍵對位：維特塞爾VS布拉德利

There won’t be room to swing a cat in midfield during this fixture, and passing accuracy will be paramount. Bradley was USA’s top pass-maker in the clash with Germany – rolling 15 balls to central partner Beckerman, and getting 13 back from his henchman. Axel Witsel, meanwhile, was Belgium’s key possession-retainer against Russia – completing all 35 efforts he attempted – and was also effective in the opening fixture against Algeria. Rested for the South Korea match, expect the Zenit man back to face the Americans.

中場空間狹小，傳球的精準可謂至關重要。在和德國隊的比賽中，布拉德利是全隊傳球次數最多的球員。比利時對壘俄羅斯，維特塞爾的控球起到了關鍵作用。此前，維特塞爾錯過了對韓國的比賽。休息了一場之后，他將在本場復出。

Fact and figures

基本數據一覽

Belgium and USA have met just once before in the World Cup, in what was for both their first World Cup game in 1930. The US ran out 3-0 winners in Montevideo.

Only Iran (30%) had a lower average possession figure in the group stage than Jurgen Klinsmann's side (39%).

The last 6 Belgian goals at World Cups have come in the closing 20 minutes of games.

比利時和美國只在1930年的世界杯相遇過一次，兩隊均是第一次征戰世界杯，最終以美國3比0大勝告終。就平均控球率來說，美國排名倒數第二（39%），僅好于伊朗（30%）。比利時在世界杯上最近的6個球都是在最后20分鐘內打進的。

FourFourTwo prediction

比分預測

A tight draw: young stopper Courtois to prove his worth in a penalty shoot out and send Belgium through.

平局：門將庫爾圖瓦在點球決勝中大顯身手，護送比利時順利晉級。

（譯者 ADDID 編輯 齊磊）