2 min readJul 7, 2026 09:13 AM IST
First published on: Jul 7, 2026 at 07:40 AM IST
A packed Seattle Stadium fell silent on Tuesday as co-hosts USA were sent crashing out of the FIFA World Cup 2026, suffering a crushing 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16.
Belgium, the 2018 World Cup bronze medalists, cruised into the quarterfinals and now face Spain in a clash for a place in the last four.
The Red Devils were clearly the superior side, registering nine more shots on target and producing a significantly higher expected goals (xG) tally than their overwhelmed opponents. The Americans had no answer to Belgium’s relentless attacking runs, as goals from Charles De Ketelaere, Hans Vanaken, and Romelu Lukaku resulted in a thoroughly dominant display.
While the US was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals and goalkeeper Matt Freese’s gaffe gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half.
Second-half substitute Lukaku added Belgium’s final goal in the third minute of stoppage time after Chris Richards’ giveaway.
Eyeing their maien World Cup title, Belgium knocked the US out in the round of 16 for the second time in 12 years and extended their unbeaten streak to 18 games.
Malik Tillman tied the score 1-1 midway through the first half with his second free-kick goal of the tournament, but the Americans conceded just 61 seconds after the ensuing kickoff.
American star Christian Pulisic could only watch from the bench after injuring his right foot when he hit a boot of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans on a 52nd-minute shot attempt. Pulisic favoured his foot after that and was replaced seven minutes later.
After winning three games in a World Cup for the first time in this expanded 48-nation tournament, the US failed in their quest to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 and lost to Belgium for the seventh straight time since a victory at the initial tournament in 1930.
(With inputs from Reuters)
USA beat Belgium in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match. (AP) 
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