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Belgium produced a relentless attacking display to defeat tournament co-hosts the United States 4-1 at the Seattle Stadium, booking their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and sending the Americans to an abrupt end on home soil. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half before Hans Vanaken capitalized on a costly defensive error and Romelu Lukaku added the finishing touch in stoppage time. Despite Mauricio Pochettino’s side dominating possession for long periods, Belgium’s clinical finishing and ability to punish mistakes proved decisive as they progressed to a quarter-final meeting with Spain at the Los Angeles Stadium on 10 July.
Belgium take control with a devastating first-half double
Much of the build-up centered on FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing the forward to start after the governing body invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code. However, once the game started, Belgium quickly turned their attention to events on the pitch.Rudi Garcia’s team settled in immediately and almost found an early breakthrough when a Belgian corner was only partially cleared by Timothy Castagne on the edge of the penalty area. The full-back lashed hard through a packed box, forcing Matt Freese into an outstanding leaping save that offered an early warning of the pressure to come.Belgium continued to dominate the opening exchanges. Their aggressive pressing was repeatedly disrupted by the American build-up, and another dangerous move saw Dodi Lukebakio break forward before cutting the ball back for Youri Tielemans. Reaching space inside the area, Tielemans narrowly stretched his effort, missing another promising opportunity.The turning point finally arrived in the ninth minute. Leandro Trossard created space down the left before delivering a teasing cross that the United States defense clearly failed to deal with. As the loose ball rebounded dangerously inside the area, Nicolas Raskin was quick to react, gaining possession before calmly passing across the penalty area. Charles De Ketelaere timed his movement perfectly and calmly scored from close range to give Belgium a deserved 1-0 lead.
Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores the first goal during the World Cup Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)
The United States gradually settled down after a difficult opening and enjoyed longer periods of possession, eventually finishing the game with 57 percent possession and an impressive 89 percent passing accuracy compared to Belgium’s 83 percent. However, despite the effective circulation of possession, clear-cut opportunities remained rare in relation to Belgium’s organized defensive shape.They equalized in the 31st minute from a lucky but well-won set. After Balogun was fouled just outside the penalty area, Malik Tillman went over the free kick and shot hard towards the goal. The shot bounced off the Belgian wall before he produced a heavy save that completely wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois, leaving the keeper stranded as the ball rolled into the opposite corner to make it 1-1.
United States’ Malik Tillman (17) scores his team’s first goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
Any momentum generated by the EQ disappeared almost immediately.Belgium responded within two minutes with a move that perfectly illustrated their attacking quality. Trossard again found space on the left flank and sent an inviting cross into the penalty area. De Ketelaere ghosted away from his keeper, met the delivery with a perfectly timed run and headed past Freese from close range to restore Belgium’s lead to 2-1. The swift response stunned the Seattle crowd and left Mauricio Pochettino visibly frustrated on the touchline after watching his side concede almost immediately after equalizing.
Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores his team’s second goal during the World Cup Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A mistake by Freese proved to be decisive as Belgium punishes every mistake
The United States tried to start the second half with more urgency, pushing Christian Pulisic and Balogun further forward in search of another equalizer. Belgium, however, remained composed defensively as they continued to threaten whenever they crossed quickly.The match was actually decided in the 57th minute after a disastrous defensive error.A long Belgian ball over the top seemed relatively harmless, but the confusion of the American defense and goalkeeper Matt Freese proved costly. Freese raced from outside his penalty area with the intention of clearing the danger before he hesitated under pressure from De Ketelaere. The loose ball fell kindly to substitute Hans Vanaken, who immediately recognized the unattended goal and calmly rolled the ball into the empty net from distance. Veteran defender Tim Ream desperately sprinted back and launched a sliding effort to prevent a goal, but the ball comfortably crossed the line to give Belgium a 3-1 lead.
Belgium’s Hans Vanaken (20) scores his team’s third goal during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
The setback was made all the more damaging when captain Christian Pulisic was forced off after a collision with Tielemans, further reducing the Americans’ attacking threat during the closing stages.Pochettino’s side continued to look for a way back into the competition despite the deficit. Sebastian Berhalter went close with a powerful long-range shot that almost went over, while Balogun finally found space behind the Belgian defense after being released by a superb high pass. Advancing from a tight angle, the forward tried to beat Courtois at his near post, but the tall Belgian keeper stood firm and produced another crucial save to deny the hosts any hope of a late comeback.Belgium’s attacking efficiency remained the key difference between the two sides. Although the United States controlled possession, Belgium consistently created the clearer openings, finishing with a total of 15 shots, seven on goal and five corners compared to the Americans’ six, only two of which tested Courtois.With the United States taking the lead in stoppage time, Belgium struck the final blow on the counter-attack. Jérémy Doku sped into open space before slotting a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Romelu Lukaku. The experienced striker held off his defender, raced into the box and confidently finished past Freese in the third minute of stoppage time for a convincing 4-1 victory.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (9) celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Belgium ended the night without a single yellow card, while the United States picked up two yellow cards on a frustrating night in Seattle. Ultimately, the possession stats didn’t count as Belgium demonstrated ruthless efficiency in both penalty areas, punishing every major mistake by the Americans to end the World Cup co-hosts’ campaign.The win sends the Red Devils into the quarter-finals, where they will face Spain in Los Angeles on July 10. For the United States, hopes of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final since 2002 are over, with defensive lapses and missed opportunities bringing an otherwise encouraging domestic tournament to a disappointing end.
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