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Belgium produced a dominant display to beat co-hosts the United States 4-1 in Seattle on Tuesday, booking a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and ending the Americans’ hopes of a first last-eight appearance in 24 years.
Two goals from Charles De Ketelaere, along with strikes from Hans Vanaken and substitute Romelu Lukaku, powered the Red Devils to an emphatic victory before a crowd of 66,925 at Seattle Stadium. Belgium will now face Spain in Friday’s quarter-final after the European champions edged Portugal 1-0.
The defeat also completed the elimination of all three tournament co-hosts, following Mexico’s loss to England and Canada’s exit against Morocco.
Belgium made the brighter start and broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin’s low cross found De Ketelaere, who calmly tapped home from close range.
The United States responded in the 31st minute through Malik Tillman, whose free-kick took a decisive deflection off Vanaken to wrong-foot goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and restore parity.
The celebrations, however, lasted only two minutes. De Ketelaere rose unmarked to head in Leandro Trossard’s inviting cross and restore Belgium’s lead before the interval.
Rudi Garcia’s side tightened their grip after the restart, capitalising on a costly mistake by American goalkeeper Matt Freese. De Ketelaere dispossessed the hesitant keeper, allowing Vanaken to fire into an empty net from outside the penalty area to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute.
Romelu Lukaku then completed the scoring in stoppage time, finishing clinically from a tight angle after being played through by Vanaken.
The United States struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the contest despite the inclusion of Folarin Balogun, whose controversial suspension was lifted by FIFA less than 24 hours before kick-off. The striker, who entered the match with three goals at the tournament, was largely isolated and saw his best effort denied by Courtois late in the second half.
Balogun’s availability had dominated pre-match discussions after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban for 12 months following intervention from senior US officials, a decision that sparked widespread criticism from across the football community.
On the pitch, however, Belgium were comfortably the superior side. De Ketelaere justified his selection ahead of Lukaku with a clinical brace, while the experienced striker came off the bench to score his third goal as a substitute at the tournament.
The victory sends Belgium into the World Cup quarter-finals for the third time in their last four appearances, while the United States bowed out at the Round of 16 for the fourth time in their last five World Cup campaigns.
