United States 1-4 Belgium: Co-hosts World Cup run comes to miserable end in the last 16

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United States 1-4 Belgium: Co-hosts World Cup run comes to miserable end in the last 16

Belgium sealed their place in the quarter finals of the World Cup inspired by Charles De Ketelaere’s first goals at a major tournament, bringing co-hosts the United States’ run to an abrupt end in Seattle.

Folarin Balogun’s controversial return – after FIFA suspended his one-match ban – had less impact than the Red Devils might have feared, as his Belgian counterpart scored either side of Malik Tillman’s deflected free kick to put them in the driving seat.

A calamitous error by goalkeeper Matt Freese and Romelu Lukaku’s strike from off the bench compounded a deeply frustrating day for Mauricio Pochettino and his side, whose 24-year wait for a last eight appearance goes on while Belgium prepare to face European champions Spain on the 10th of July.

As it happened​

Belgium’s bright start saw Matt Freese keep out Timothy Castagne from range in minute one and Yuri Tielemans swing at and miss the right-back’s low ball across the box after Dodi Lukébakio found him sprinting forward on the overlap.

Quite possibly incensed by FIFA’s decision to exercise article 27 and suspend Balogun’s ban, the Red Devils took just nine minutes to find the breakthrough with De Katalaere in far too much space six yards out to tap in Nicolas Raskin’s low cross.

The crowd of defenders inside the penalty area were far too hesitant to properly clear the danger after Alex Freeman’s looping header away, having blocked Leandro Trossard’s attempted cross from level with the box on the left.

Tillman levelled out of nothing on the half-hour mark with his free kick – his country’s very first effort on goal – taking a big deflection off the head of early substitute Hans Vanaken in the wall, completely wrongfooting Thibaut Courtois.

But it was of little concern for Belgium, who restored their lead just two minutes later as De Ketelaere headed home Trossard’s deft ball floated across goal to send them into the break with a much-deserved lead intact.

57′ Terrible mix up at the back gifted Vanaken redemption for the United States’ equalizer, Freese inexplicably deciding to try and pass back towards Tim Ream with De Ketelaere breathing down his neck.

The United States struggled to find the tempo and fluidity they had been playing with throughout the group stage and the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, something that would cost them dearly approaching the hour.

Freese inexplicably attempted a pass back towards centre-back Tim Ream having ventured out of his box to collect the loose ball, which was pounced upon by De Ketelaere on the hunt for a memorable hat-trick.

Vanaken was gifted the chance to roll the ball into the empty net from 20 yards, all but ending the co-hosts dreams of a first quarter-final appearance at the World Cup finals since 2002.

Lukaku’s accurate low drive into the bottom right corner completed the rout for Belgium, who finally seemed to have lift-off after a dubious performance in the group stage – where they crashed out in 2022 – and late comeback against Senegal.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.


USA – Belgium Live Score

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