Belgium advance at USA's expense

Belgium secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a commanding 4-1 victory over the United States on Monday night. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, with additional goals contributing to a win that saw the co-hosts eliminated from the tournament. The match, played at Seattle Stadium, was marked by a controversy that preceded the first whistle.

Balogun ban overshadows pre-match build-up

Much of the attention before the game focused on the availability of United States forward Folarin Balogun. The 25-year-old had been suspended for one match after receiving a red card in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, FIFA lifted the suspension after US President Donald Trump asked the governing body's president, Gianni Infantino, to review the punishment. The decision was described as controversial by outlets covering the match, and it drew criticism from football fans, pundits, and players worldwide, according to reports.

Despite the furore, the Seattle crowd greeted Balogun's name with a large roar when the starting line-up was announced, a reaction that reportedly dwarfed the cheers for US captain Christian Pulisic. Balogun won the free kick that led to the American equaliser, but he otherwise made little impact on the game.

De Ketelaere inspires Belgian dominance

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia made surprising changes to his starting eleven, benching Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku. The gamble paid off, as De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the ninth minute, tapping in from close range after a cross from Nicolas Raskin. Malik Tillman equalised for the United States in the 31st minute, when his free kick deflected off Hans Vanaken and went in past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. But parity lasted only two minutes, with De Ketelaere heading in his second goal past US goalkeeper Matt Freese, sending Belgium into the break with a lead.

After the restart, the match turned decisively in Belgium's favour. Freese came out of his penalty area to make a clearance but miskicked, allowing Vanaken to fire the ball into an unguarded net. Romelu Lukaku added the final goal in stoppage time.

US out as co-hosts exit

The defeat confirmed the elimination of all three co-hosts from the 2026 tournament, following earlier losses by Canada and Mexico in their round-of-16 matches, as reported. Belgium now advance to face Spain in the quarter-finals.

Key Claims

  • Belgium won 4-1 against the United States, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring a brace. (Reported by Al Jazeera, France 24, and RFI)
  • Folarin Balogun's suspension was lifted by FIFA after a request from US President Donald Trump. (Reported by Al Jazeera, France 24, and RFI)
  • The United States are out of the World Cup, following the loss. (Reported by Al Jazeera, France 24, and RFI)
  • Belgium will face Spain in the quarter-finals. (Reported by Al Jazeera, France 24, and RFI)
  • Cristiano Ronaldo said he would not play in any more World Cups, and Mikel Merino scored in stoppage time to decide the Spain-Portugal game. (Reported by RFI)
  • Tyler Adams and Mauricio Pochettino made statements about the US team, with Adams saying they felt amazing when doing well, and Pochettino saying the future is bright for the squad. (Reported by RFI)

Perspectives

Belgium squad's motivation: Belgium captain Youri Tielemans told RTBF that after Balogun's reprieve, the team held a meeting and vowed to make a statement on the pitch. "We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch," he said. "That's what we did. I'm very proud of the team."

US camp's outlook: US midfielder Tyler Adams is quoted as saying the team felt amazing when performing well in the tournament, while coach Mauricio Pochettino is quoted as expressing optimism about the squad's future. (As reported by RFI)