USA World Cup dream ended by Belgium

President Obama made a phone call to US football captain Clint Dempsey and goalkeeper Tim Howard following their elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Belgium.

Obama thanked the players for capturing the "hearts and imaginations of the whole country" and joked with popular goalkeeper Tim Howard:

"I don't know how you're going to survive the mobs when you come back home man...you're going to have to shave your beard so they don't know who you are."

More: Football fans hail historic Tim Howard display against Belgium

President Obama made a phone call to US football captain Clint Dempsey and goalkeeper Tim Howard following their elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Belgium.

A read-out of the conversation said the President had commended the players not just for their performances but for "carrying themselves in a way that made the country proud".

The statement also said the President had remarked how "captivating" the team's displays in Brazil had been.

Read: US Defence Secretary calls to thank Tim Howard

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has phoned goalkeeper Tim Howard to thank him for his heroics in last night's defeat against Belgium.

Everton's Howard broke the World Cup record for the number of saves in a match, repelling the Belgians a total of 16 times.

Mr Hagel invited Howard and his teammates to the Pentagon later this year and joked that with a bit more training the keeper "could someday become the real Secretary of Defense" .

Read: Football fans hail historic Howard heroics

The USA's Tim Howard produced the greatest World Cup performance by a goalkeeper in a generation but could not deny Belgium in last night's second round match.

Howard made 16 saves - the most by any keeper in a World Cup match since 1966 - before Belgium scored twice in extra time to secure a 2-1 win and a quarter-final place against Argentina.

US coach Jurgen Klinsmann said: "What Tim played was just phenomenal, outstanding - he kept us in that game for a long time. We are proud to have him with us."

More: Despair for American fans as team exits World Cup

The USA's exit from the World Cup at the hands of Belgium meant disappointment for the hordes of Americans who turned out both in Brazil and at home to cheer on their team.

The team's spirited performances have coincided with a huge surge in interest in football in the US, with enormous crowds packing out sports stadiums across the country to watch Jurgen Klinsmann's men.

The USA's World Cup campaign has been ended after a 2-1 extra-time defeat against Belgium.

The tournament has seen a huge rise in interest in football in the United States, with Americans reportedly the largest contingent of overseas fans who travelled to Brazil.

Despite battling valiantly against a much-fancied Belgian outfit, they fell behind to goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, before Jermaine Green scored a consolation.

A pitch invader has disrupted Belgium's World Cup clash with the US.

Wearing a t-shirt with a message supporting the children of Brazilian favelas, the man ran onto the pitch during the first half of the match.

Read: Thousands of Americans gather as US take on Belgium

American football fans have gathered in their thousands to show their support for the national team as they take on Belgium in the last 16 of the World Cup.

The country has been gripped by "Soccer fever" after Jurgen Klinsmann's side progressed from a tough group containing Germany, Portugal and Ghana to make the knockout stages.

The winner of the tie will face Argentina in the quarter-finals, after the South Americans scored an extra time winner to beat Switzerland.

For the latest news from Brazil, visit the ITV World Cup site