Issued on: 07/07/2026 – 01:06Modified: 07/07/2026 – 04:45
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Charles De Ketelaere scored a brace for Belgium. © Alex Grimm, Getty Images via AFP
Charles De Ketalaere scored twice as Belgium thumped the US 4-1 in their World Cup last-16 clash to end the co-hosts’ World Cup dream. The buildup to the match was overshadowed by a row over US President Donald Trump’s extraordinary intervention to earn a red-card reprieve for striker Folarin Balogun. Read our blog to see how the match unfolded.
De Ketelaere gave Belgium the lead in the ninth minute with a simple tap-in, taking full advantage of a nervous start by the US to quickly deflate the partisan crowd.
Malik Tillman equalised in the 31st minute with a deflected free kick which wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois, but De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead little more than a minute later with a back-post header.
Read moreWorld Cup 2026: All the fixtures
The hosts played with more authority after the break until a calamitous error from goalkeeper Matt Freese allowed substitute Hans Vanaken to score in the 57th minute, irreversibly shifting the momentum in a stunned Seattle Stadium.
Romelu Lukaku then added a fourth in added time to send US fans streaming for the exits.
07/07/2026 – 04:44Thank you for following this blog
Congratulations to Belgium, who were excellent after a slow start to the World Cup.
Commiserations to the US hosts, whose limitations were brutally exposed tonight after a rip-roaring start to the tournament.
Stay with us for more coverage of the World Cup, including the two remaining last-16 fixtures: Argentina vs Egypt and Colombia vs Switzerland.
07/07/2026 – 04:19
07/07/2026 – 04:15And here’s our match report
A thumping win for Belgium. And a shattering halt to USA’s World Cup party.
07/07/2026 – 04:09
07/07/2026 – 03:58Full time! USA 1-4 Belgium!
US hopes of a deep World Cup run at home have ended.
Belgium played brilliantly, exposing the Americans’ defensive liabilities to earn a quarter-final berth.
07/07/2026 – 03:57GOAL! Lukako scores Belgium’s fourth!
Lukako rubs it in with a fourth goal for Belgium!
07/07/2026 – 03:55Four minutes of added time
The World Cup dream is fast fading away for Team USA.
07/07/2026 – 03:53Richards with a crucial block
Doku launches a Belgian counter and offloads to Lukaku, who can’t get a shot.
Trossard can but Richards blocks.
07/07/2026 – 03:48Courtois denies Balogun
Balogun races down the left and tries to fire past Courtois on his near post but the Belgian keeper parries.
It’s now or never for the hosts.
07/07/2026 – 03:46Chance for USA!
The ball is headed clear in the Belgium box and falls to Berhalter, whose lovely shot is inches wide of Courtois’ post.
07/07/2026 – 03:39Pepi comes on
Pochettino tries to revive the hosts’ attack by bringing on Ricardo Pepi.
That third Belgium goal has really killed their momentum.
07/07/2026 – 03:35Enter Lukaku and Doku
De Ketelaere and Lukebakio come off, the former with a famous brace.
07/07/2026 – 03:32
Freese makes a mess of it. Credit: Artur Marcarian, Reuters
07/07/2026 – 03:28Pulisic comes off
A further blow for USA as their star player comes off injured.
He’s replaced by Berhalter.
07/07/2026 – 03:21GOAL! Belgium extend their lead!
Disaster for USA!
Freese deserts the posts to clear the ball but misses it completely. It falls to Vanaken who slots it home.
Shambolic defending from the hosts.
07/07/2026 – 03:20Pulisic pipped to the ball
Pulisic is about to shoot from the edge of the box when Tielemans gets a foot in front.
The American wants a foul but the referee waves him away.
07/07/2026 – 03:15A brighter start for USA
The hosts are at least showing more intent.
07/07/2026 – 03:12We’re off again!
Reyna is on for Dest, who has not had a good game.
07/07/2026 – 03:02Belgium’s tribute to Magritte