Belgium ended the United States’ FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion on Monday with a commanding 4-1 victory, booking a place in the quarter-finals where they will face Spain.
Charles De Ketelaere starred with a brace, while Hans Vanaken capitalised on a costly goalkeeping error before substitute Romelu Lukaku added a late fourth goal. The result ended the hopes of the tournament co-hosts of reaching their first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years.
The encounter at Seattle’s Lumen Field was also overshadowed by the controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun, whose surprise reinstatement by FIFA after an initial one-match suspension sparked widespread debate before kick-off.
Balogun, who was named in the starting line-up by US coach Mauricio Pochettino after FIFA overturned the suspension following lobbying by US President Donald Trump, struggled to make an impact throughout the match.
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans admitted the controversy served as motivation for his teammates.
“Let’s be honest: we held a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said.
“We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That’s what we did today. I’m very proud of the team,” the Aston Villa midfielder told Belgium’s RTBF broadcaster.
Pochettino acknowledged that the United States failed to perform at the required level.
“Today we were not the same team that we have been during the tournament,” Pochettino said. “It was a very bad day — it wasn’t our day in a collective and individual way.”
Belgium made a dream start when De Ketelaere opened the scoring after just nine minutes. The United States briefly restored hope when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick found the net in the 31st minute.
However, Belgium regained the lead only two minutes later through De Ketelaere’s header before Vanaken extended the advantage in the 57th minute after US goalkeeper Matt Freese lost possession while attempting to clear the ball outside his area.
Lukaku completed the rout deep into stoppage time to seal a convincing victory.
The defeat concluded a dramatic 24 hours for the United States after FIFA’s decision to reverse Balogun’s suspension generated criticism across the football world.
Belgium football authorities also challenged Balogun’s eligibility shortly before kick-off, but FIFA dismissed the appeal.
“There was a sense of injustice within the squad,” Belgium’s Nicolas Raskin said. “We were determined to respond on the field.”
Belgium to Face Spain in Quarter-Finals
Belgium will now meet Spain in Los Angeles on Friday after the European champions edged Portugal 1-0 in another last-16 encounter.
Spain secured victory through substitute Mikel Merino, who scored in the first minute of stoppage time to eliminate Portugal at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The defeat marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey, with the 41-year-old making his sixth and final appearance at the tournament.
Although Ronaldo had hoped to crown his illustrious career with a World Cup title, Portugal struggled to threaten Spain, managing only two shots on target compared to Spain’s six.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo confirmed it was his final World Cup while leaving his international future open.
“It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll have time to think about the rest, to be with my family, not make rash decisions, and just get on with life,” Ronaldo said.
“That’s football, that’s the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on.”
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised his side’s display despite the narrow scoreline.
“It was a fantastic match — a final played early — and, inevitably, we had to sweat it out until the very end,” de la Fuente said. “We put in a complete performance.”
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