Kolkata: Belgium booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over USA at Seattle Stadium
Charles De Ketelaere’s brace, Hans Vanaken’s first World Cup goal and a late strike from substitute Romelu Lukaku set up a last-eight meeting with Spain, while USA became the final co-hosts to exit the tournament after Canada and Mexico had already bowed out in the Round of 16.
The warning signs were there for Mauricio Pochettino’s side when Timothy Castagne’s 18-yard strike forced Matt Freese into a flying save at the end of Belgium’s first meaningful attack.
Youri Tielemans then went within inches of turning home Dodi Lukebakio’s cross before Rudi Garcia’s men took a deserved lead. Leandro Trossard’s teasing delivery into the box caused all manner of problems for the USA defence, with Nicolas Raskin firing across for De Ketelaere to tap home.
Belgium appeared to be cruising, but their lead was cancelled out after 31 minutes when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois. However, the scores were level for just 116 seconds as Trossard’s cross from the left found De Ketelaere, who headed home his second goal of the contest.
USA’s task was made even harder just before the hour mark when a defensive mishap gifted Belgium a third goal. Freese raced out of his area to clear but missed the ball, allowing De Ketelaere to steal possession before Vanaken’s long-range effort evaded Tim Ream’s attempted block and found the empty net.
The Stars and Stripes showed signs of life in the closing stages as substitute Sebastian Berhalter fired wide and Courtois denied Folarin Balogun, only for Lukaku to pounce on a loose clearance and finish with aplomb in stoppage time to put the result beyond any doubt.
Spain await Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on 10 July after eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Brief scorecard –
USA goals: Tillman (31)
Belgium goals: De Ketelaere (9, 33), Vanaken (57), Lukaku (90+3).
