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Belgium brought the United States’ World Cup party to a shattering halt on Monday, thrashing the tournament co-hosts 4-1 to set up a quarterfinal showdown with Spain, SuperSport reports.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken punished a goalkeeping howler, and substitute Romelu Lukaku added a fourth to settle a last-16 clash that had been overshadowed by the pre-match uproar surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun, named in US coach Mauricio Pochettino’s starting line-up after FIFA suspended a one-game ban following lobbying by US President Donald Trump, was largely anonymous throughout Monday’s knockout tie at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
Instead, a rampant Belgium ruthlessly dismantled the USA’s hopes of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years, in a bitterly disappointing end to a campaign that had captivated the host nation.
De Ketelaere fired Belgium ahead after nine minutes, and although Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick leveled it in the 31st-minute, the US fightback was shortlived.
Also Read: World Cup 2026: Trump Did Not Influenced FIFA’s Decision To Reverse Balogun’s Red Card –Infantino
De Ketelaere headed Belgium back in front in the 33rd minute, and Vanaken made it 3-1 in the 57th minute after a dreadful blunder by US goalkeeper Matt Freese, who was dispossessed after charging out of his penalty area to clear.
Veteran striker Lukaku piled on the misery with a fourth in stoppage time.
The defeat capped a tumultuous 24 hours for the World Cup co-hosts, who were lifted by FIFA’s shock reprieve of Balogun on Sunday — a decision which brought widespread condemnation across the football world.
2 Comments
The USA on the wrong end of a 4-1 hammering.
It looks like the Balogun issue backfired spectacularly, as it gave the Belgians extra motivation, and they took to the pitch determined to end the American dream.
Indeed, Belgium outplayed the USA, but comical errors from Poch’s boys, especially that 3rd Belgian goal, eventually decided the encounter. That 3rd Belgian goal has to be right up there among the funniest goals ever conceded at a world cup.
So while the USA bow out of the tournament, next stop for Belgium is the Spanish Armada.
World cup quarterfinal clash imminent!
Belgium won the game from mild field, virtual all the counter attacks of USA were broken from the middle before getting to back line.
Those at Belgium mild field played so tightly and well coordinated intercepting us passes and and they swift in their one two passes at the middle the one that make life difficult for us.
Balogun that was smuggle was first absent for a 20min or so in the game.
In a nut shell out of these three hosting nations only Mexico can be regarded as a football nation. Others made it that far because they were hosting nation ni.
If this Belgium team can play like they did yesterday even France will find it difficult to override that midfield.
This is what we have been saying about se, where every game our mild field always appear dead even before the start of match.