2026 World Cup : Belgium put the United States to the sword and set up Spain clash
The United States were hoping for a big night in Seattle. It was mostly Belgian. Belgium produced one of their best performances of the tournament to knock out the hosts 4-1 and book a quarter-final meeting with Spain. Charles De Ketelaere, starting from the off, scored twice before Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku finished the job.
The last-16 tie had actually been simmering long before kick-off. Folarin Balogun’s presence, after FIFA lifted his suspension the day before, angered the Belgian federation and plenty else in football. Once on the pitch, the United States forward barely influenced the game. Belgium were better in almost every department and gave the home fans very little to cling to.
De Ketelaere strikes twice before the break
Rudi Garcia’s selection raised eyebrows. Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku started on the bench, while Charles De Ketelaere got the nod. The gamble paid off quickly.
From the opening minutes, Belgium smothered a United States side who could not play out cleanly. Matt Freese kept out an early Timothy Castagne effort, Youri Tielemans then had a sight of goal, and De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the 9th minute. Leandro Trossard did the damage before picking out the Belgian forward, left free to finish from close range.
The United States had the credit of making one of their few openings count. A foul on Balogun handed them a free-kick, and Malik Tillman converted it with a deflection off Hans Vanaken. In the 31st minute, the stadium could believe again. It lasted less than two minutes.
From the next attack, De Ketelaere got above his marker and powered a header beyond Freese. His second goal of the night put Belgium straight back in front. It was a hammer blow for a United States team already struggling in the physical battles and often second to the ball.
Freese mistake ends the contest
Mauricio Pochettino’s side came out after the break with more intent, but they still could not really trouble Thibaut Courtois. Belgium did not need to take risks. They just waited for the home mistake, and it came just before the hour mark.
Having rushed out of his area to deal with a long ball, Matt Freese took too long to clear his lines. De Ketelaere pounced to nick the ball away and Hans Vanaken seized on the empty goal to score from distance. At 3-1, the tie was over.
Rudi Garcia was then able to go to his bench. Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku came on, though Kevin De Bruyne stayed on the sidelines to the end. Lukaku was never going to miss the chance to join the party. In stoppage time, the striker grabbed Belgium’s fourth, his 92nd in national colours.
The only real bad news for Belgium came with Amadou Onana. The midfielder was forced off in the first half with a right knee injury. After the match, Rudi Garcia did not hide his concern over how serious it might be.
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Hopes end in harsh fashion for the hosts
For the United States, it is a brutal exit. After an encouraging group stage and a promising round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Americans had been hoping to finally get past the last 16 for the first time since 2002.
It did not happen. Christian Pulisic never really got into the game, the midfield was overrun by Belgium’s energy and the defence made mistake after mistake. Balogun, at the centre of the pre-match noise, won the free-kick for the equaliser and had a late chance of his own, but he could not change the night.
After Canada and Mexico, all three host nations are now out of their home World Cup. The United States go home with three wins, but also with a heavy defeat that will sting for some time.
Belgium, meanwhile, march on. On Friday 10 July, the Red Devils meet Spain in Los Angeles for a place in the semi-finals. After that wild comeback against Senegal in the previous round and this demolition of the Americans, Rudi Garcia’s side are peaking at exactly the right time.
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