Belgium demolish USA to reach quarter-finals
Belgium produced a commanding performance to thrash tournament co-hosts the United States 4-1 in their World Cup last-16 tie in Seattle. Charles De Ketelaere was the star of the show, scoring twice as the Red Devils set up a quarter-final meeting with Spain.
The result ended American hopes of a deep run at their home World Cup in devastating fashion. It was the USA’s heaviest defeat since 1990.
De Ketelaere strikes early and often
Belgium wasted no time asserting dominance. Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring in just the 9th minute, tapping in from close range after a Nicolas Raskin assist. The US briefly levelled through Malik Tillman’s well-struck free kick in the 31st minute, but any hopes of a comeback lasted just two minutes.
De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead with a powerful header in the 33rd minute, connecting with a Leandro Trossard cross. It was a ruthless response that left the home crowd stunned.
Vanaken and Lukaku pile on the misery
Hans Vanaken extended Belgium’s lead in the 57th minute with a strike from outside the box, assisted by De Ketelaere. The goal prompted a stream of fans to leave Seattle Stadium, their World Cup dream over.
Romelu Lukaku added a fourth deep into stoppage time in the 93rd minute, finishing coolly after a Vanaken assist. Several Belgium players celebrated by performing the “Trump dance” — a pointed message following days of political controversy.
The Balogun saga overshadowed everything
The match was preceded by an extraordinary off-field controversy. FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban just days before the game, after US President Donald Trump said he asked the governing body to review the red card Balogun received against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Belgium were furious. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the decision and formally contested Balogun’s eligibility. UEFA called the intervention a “red line” being crossed, while England boss Thomas Tuchel warned it set a dangerous precedent.
Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said his team felt a “sense of injustice” and were determined to respond on the pitch. Captain Youri Tielemans echoed those sentiments: “We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That’s what we did.”
Belgium’s official Instagram account posted a picture of Romelu Lukaku cupping his ear with the caption “overturn this” — a direct taunt aimed at the controversy.
Defensive collapse costs the USA
While the Balogun saga dominated headlines, the USA’s defeat was primarily down to poor defending. De Ketelaere was left unmarked for his first goal and beat two defenders for his second. Vanaken’s third came from a goalkeeper error by Matt Freese, who gifted the ball to the Belgian midfielder.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino refused to use the controversy as an excuse. “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse. It wasn’t our day,” he said. However, he expressed frustration at the political interference: “I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation first.”
Pochettino’s contract expires at the end of the World Cup, and he offered no clarity on his future. “Now it’s time to rest, to think, to have conversations,” he said.
What it means
Belgium advance to face Spain in the quarter-finals — a fascinating matchup between two European heavyweights. The Red Devils showed they can be clinical when it matters, with De Ketelaere emerging as a genuine tournament star.
For the USA, the World Cup dream is over. Despite the off-field drama, this was a performance that fell well below the standard they set earlier in the tournament. Questions now hang over Pochettino’s future and whether the political storm genuinely disrupted their preparation.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia revealed that Balogun approached him after the game. “It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame and that’s what I told him,” Garcia said.
