Belgium Crush USA To Reach FIFA World Cup Quarter-Finals, Set Up Spain Showdown

Published 7 July 2026 · sports

Belgium Crush USA To Reach FIFA World Cup Quarter-Finals, Set Up Spain Showdown Published By, Last Updated: July 07, 2026, 08:08 IST Belgium swept aside

Belgium Crush USA To Reach FIFA World Cup Quarter-Finals, Set Up Spain Showdown Published By, Last Updated: July 07, 2026, 08:08 IST Belgium swept aside the United States 4-1 to end the co-hosts' World Cup dream, with Charles De Ketelaere starring before a blockbuster quarter-final against Spain. Rapid Read (Credit: AP) Belgium ended the United States’ inspiring FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion on Monday, cruising to a 4-1 victory in Seattle to book a blockbuster quarter-final clash with Spain. Charles De Ketelaere was the star of the show with a brilliant brace, while Hans Vanaken capitalised on a costly goalkeeping mistake before substitute Romelu Lukaku added the finishing touch in stoppage time as Belgium overwhelmed the tournament co-hosts. The victory also brought an end to a chaotic 24 hours surrounding the United States, whose preparations had been dominated by the controversy over Folarin Balogun’s eligibility.

Balogun was restored to the starting lineup after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban, a decision that came after intense lobbying from US President Donald Trump and sparked fierce criticism across the football world. Belgium even challenged the striker’s eligibility before kickoff, but FIFA dismissed the appeal. Once the match began, however, the debate quickly faded into the background. Belgium seized control almost immediately as De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the ninth minute. The United States briefly reignited hopes when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick found the net in the 31st minute, lifting the home crowd at Lumen Field. That momentum lasted barely two minutes. De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead with a well-taken header in the 33rd minute, silencing the stadium and shifting the momentum firmly back in his side’s favour. The Americans never truly recovered. Their hopes effectively disappeared just before the hour mark when goalkeeper Matt Freese endured a nightmare moment.

Racing off his line in an attempt to clear the ball, Freese was dispossessed, allowing Vanaken to punish the error and make it 3-1. With the hosts chasing the game, Belgium remained clinical. Lukaku came off the bench to add a fourth deep into stoppage time, putting the seal on a ruthless performance. Balogun, whose inclusion had dominated headlines before kickoff, struggled to make an impact and was largely anonymous as Belgium’s defence kept the United States’ leading scorer quiet. The defeat ends the USA’s dream of reaching its first World Cup quarter-final since 2002 and brings the curtain down on a campaign that had captured the imagination of home supporters. Belgium, meanwhile, march on to face European champions Spain in Los Angeles on Friday after the Spaniards edged Portugal 1-0 in what proved to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance.