Belgium punished defensive mistakes and received two goals from Charles De Ketelaere to defeat the United States 4–1, ending the hosts’ World Cup campaign and securing a quarterfinal meeting with Spain.
Belgium capitalized on defensive errors to defeat the United States 4–1 on Monday night, July 6, 2026, eliminating the tournament hosts from the FIFA World Cup 2026 and advancing to the quarterfinals.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and provided an assist as Belgium extended its unbeaten run to 18 matches. The Red Devils will face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday in Inglewood, California.
Belgium took the lead in the eighth minute when De Ketelaere finished from close range after sustained pressure inside the penalty area. The United States responded in the 31st minute through Malik Tillman, whose free kick deflected into the net to level the score.
Belgium restored its advantage less than two minutes later. Leandro Trossard delivered a cross that De Ketelaere headed past goalkeeper Matt Freese to make it 2–1 before halftime.
The decisive moment came early in the second half when Freese miscontrolled a long ball under pressure. The loose ball fell to Hans Vanaken, who scored from distance in the 57th minute after his effort took a deflection on its way into the net.
Belgium sealed the victory in stoppage time when substitute Romelu Lukaku capitalized on a defensive turnover to score the team’s fourth goal.
The United States also lost captain Christian Pulisic during the second half after he suffered an ankle injury while attempting a shot. He was substituted in the 59th minute after receiving treatment on the field.
The match marked the return of striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match suspension had been lifted by FIFA before kickoff, allowing him to rejoin the U.S. lineup.
The defeat ended the United States’ hopes of reaching its first World Cup quarterfinal since 2002. It also marked the second time Belgium has eliminated the Americans in the Round of 16, following the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking after the match, U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged his team’s shortcomings.
“A very bad day. It’s not like you are in a rocket and you improve and you grow. It’s not linear.”
Midfielder Tyler Adams said the team had fallen short of its objectives.
“This was a moment to have an opportunity to advance and really try and do something special. We fell short.”
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans praised his team’s performance.
“We showed that we’re ready and we want to perform.”
The result also meant that all six CONCACAF nations were eliminated before the quarterfinals, with the United States joining co-hosts Mexico and Canada among the teams knocked out in the Round of 16.
