Bhubaneswar: Belgium’s golden generation of players stayed on course to defend its World Cup title after edging past a young Netherlands 3-2 in the penalty shootout, setting up the summit clash against Germany here on Friday.
Reigning Olympic champions and world number two Belgium won in the battle of lowlands after the two sides were locked 2-2 in the regulation time in a tense semifinal at the Kalinga Stadium.
The match between the oldest side — Belgium — and a young Dutch team was well-contested but the more experienced defending champions emerged winners.
