Belgium produced a dominant display to defeat co-hosts the United States 4-1 on Tuesday, booking a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup where they will face Spain.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice as the Red Devils outclassed Mauricio Pochettino’s side in Seattle, ending the United States’ hopes of reaching the last eight for the first time since 2002.
The victory also meant the United States became the third and final co-host nation to exit the tournament, following Mexico’s elimination by England and Canada’s defeat to Morocco.
Belgium made a dream start, taking the lead in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin’s low pass across the face of goal was turned home by De Ketelaere.
The hosts drew level in the 31st minute after Malik Tillman’s free-kick took a significant deflection off Belgium midfielder Hans Vanaken, wrong-footing the goalkeeper.
However, Belgium restored their advantage just two minutes later as De Ketelaere rose highest to head home Leandro Trossard’s cross for his second goal of the evening.
The visitors extended their lead early in the second half after a costly error from United States goalkeeper Matt Freese. De Ketelaere dispossessed the hesitant goalkeeper, allowing Vanaken to calmly side-foot the ball into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed the emphatic victory deep into stoppage time, firing a low shot into the far corner from a tight angle to make it 4-1.
Belgium will now face reigning European champions Spain in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles on Friday after Spain edged Portugal 1-0.
The match was preceded by controversy surrounding United States striker Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was lifted after FIFA placed his automatic one-match ban on hold for 12 months.
Balogun had been sent off in the previous round against Bosnia-Herzegovina and initially appeared set to miss the Belgium clash. However, FIFA’s decision to suspend the ban attracted widespread criticism after United States President Donald Trump publicly revealed he had asked the governing body to review the punishment, saying the suspension would have left a “big stain” on the tournament.
Despite returning to the starting line-up, Balogun struggled to influence the contest as Belgium controlled proceedings. His best opportunity came in the closing stages, but Thibaut Courtois produced a smart save from a tight angle to deny the striker a fourth goal of the tournament.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia’s decision to continue with De Ketelaere ahead of record goalscorer Lukaku proved decisive, with the Atalanta forward scoring his first two goals of the competition.
Lukaku, introduced from the bench, also reached a milestone by becoming the first substitute to score three goals in a single FIFA World Cup tournament.
Garcia also left experienced midfielder Kevin De Bruyne on the bench despite the Napoli star having started each of Belgium’s previous 37 matches.
Belgium’s victory ensures they have reached at least the quarterfinals in three of their last four FIFA World Cup appearances, while the United States have now been eliminated in the Round of 16 in four of their last five World Cup campaigns.
(The Whistler)
