The USA’s World Cup run ended Monday night in Seattle, with Belgium cruising to a 4-1 Round of 16 win in front of 66,925 fans.
How it unfolded:
• Belgium started fast, and Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the 9th minute, tapping in a pass from Nicolas Raskin
• Malik Tillman equalized for the US in the 31st minute off a deflected free kick — the USA’s first shot of the game
• The lead lasted less than a minute before De Ketelaere headed home a second goal from a Leandro Trossard cross, completing his brace
• Goalkeeper Matt Freese made a costly error early in the second half, hesitating on the ball outside his box, letting De Ketelaere steal it and set up Hans Vanaken for an easy third goal
• Christian Pulisic withdrew with an injury shortly after
• Substitute Romelu Lukaku added a fourth in stoppage time, again off a defensive breakdown
Context: The match came amid controversy — striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game suspension from a red card in the Round of 32 was controversially overturned, reportedly following outside pressure, though FIFA denied any involvement. Balogun played but had his best chance saved by Thibaut Courtois.
The bigger picture: The US came in with a lineup full of players from Europe’s top leagues, coach Mauricio Pochettino, and homefield advantage for the first time in three decades — expectations were high after group-stage wins over Paraguay, Australia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Instead, it was elimination in the Round of 16 yet again at the hands of a European team. Belgium was the same team that eliminated the US in 2014. Belgium now advances to face Spain in the quarterfinals, while all three co-host nations (USA, Canada, Mexico) were eliminated at the Round of 16 stage.