Sports
BELGIUM/ defeated co-hosts the United States 4-1 on Monday to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending the Americans’ campaign amid controversy surrounding the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s ban.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half to give Belgium control of the Round of 16 encounter before Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added second-half goals.
Malik Tillman scored the lone goal for the United States.
Belgium took the lead in the ninth minute when De Ketelaere tapped home after the U.S. defence failed to clear Nicolas Raskin’s cross.
Tillman equalised in the 31st minute with a free-kick that took a deflection off Vanaken, leaving goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stranded.
However, Belgium restored their advantage just over a minute later as De Ketelaere headed home from Leandro Trossard’s cross.
The United States improved after the break but their hopes faded in the 57th minute when goalkeeper Matt Freese lost possession outside his goal, allowing substitute Vanaken to score into an empty net.
Lukaku completed the rout in stoppage time to seal Belgium’s place in the last eight.
Belgium will now face European champions Spain in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles on Friday.
The defeat also confirmed the elimination of all three tournament co-hosts after Canada and Mexico were knocked out in the Round of 16.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side struggled from the outset.
“From the beginning, we didn’t connect with the game. Even when we scored to make it 1-1, we conceded immediately,” he said.
Midfielder Tyler Adams expressed disappointment at the team’s exit.
“When things were going well in the tournament, we felt amazing. Today we didn’t take our opportunity, and it’s going to sting,” he said.
The match was overshadowed by controversy after FIFA suspended the one-match ban imposed on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The decision attracted criticism in Belgium, with midfielder Nicolas Raskin saying the ruling was unfair.
“I think there was justice somewhere in life. We didn’t think that decision was fair, and today perhaps we had a bit of luck,” he said.
Despite returning to the starting line-up, Balogun was largely subdued as Belgium dominated proceedings and advanced to the quarter-finals for the third time in the last four World Cups.
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Tags: Belgium beat USA