Belgium Thrash USA 4-1 to Reach World Cup Quarter-finals

By Charles Maduka

Belgium ended the United States’ World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Seattle Stadium, booking their place in the quarter-finals.

Charles De Ketelaere was the standout performer for Belgium, scoring twice in the opening half before providing an assist for Hans Vanaken in the second half as Rudi Garcia’s side secured a quarter-final showdown with Spain.

Belgium made a fast start, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans both seeing efforts blocked before Timothy Castagne forced Matt Freese into an excellent save less than a minute into the game.

The breakthrough came in the ninth minute when De Ketelaere tapped home from close range after Nicolas Raskin reacted quickly to a loose ball and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box.

Belgium suffered a setback when Amadou Onana was forced off with a knee injury, and the United States took advantage shortly after the half-hour mark as Malik Tillman’s free-kick deflected past Thibaut Courtois for the equaliser.

The hosts’ joy was short-lived, however, as Belgium restored their lead just two minutes later when De Ketelaere rose above Tim Ream to head home Leandro Trossard’s cross from the left.

The second half was less eventful until a costly mistake by Matt Freese handed Belgium a third goal. The goalkeeper was dispossessed by De Ketelaere well outside his goal, allowing Hans Vanaken to score from distance.

The United States created a few late opportunities through Sebastian Berhalter and Folarin Balogun, but Berhalter fired wide while Courtois denied Balogun with a fine save.

Romelu Lukaku completed the scoring in stoppage time after capitalising on a defensive error by Chris Richards, sealing a convincing victory for Belgium.

Despite Kevin De Bruyne remaining an unused substitute, Belgium produced an outstanding attacking display. Trossard became only the third Belgian player since 1966 to record at least two goals and two assists in a single World Cup tournament, following Eden Hazard in 2018 and Jan Ceulemans in 1986.

De Ketelaere also made history by becoming the first Belgian player to be directly involved in three goals in a single World Cup match, scoring twice and providing one assist.

Three of De Ketelaere’s eight international goals have come against the United States, making them the team he has scored against more than any other opponent.

Belgium finished the match with 15 shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.15, while the United States managed just seven attempts and an xG of 0.67, highlighting Belgium’s dominance throughout the contest.

The defeat means the United States have now been eliminated in the Round of 16 in six of their seven appearances at that stage of the World Cup, including each of their last four appearances in 2010, 2014, 2022 and 2026.

Although the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s suspended red-card ban dominated the build-up to the match, the United States will still take positives from a campaign that ended with disappointment at the hands of a clinical Belgian side.