Belgium Crush USA 4-1 to reach world cup quarter-finals as Charles De Ketelaere score twice Amid Balogun Ban Controversy

Belgium ended the United States' World Cup dream in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 4-1 victory to book a blockbuster quarterfinal clash with Spain.

Charles De Ketelaere stole the show with a brilliant brace, while Romelu Lukaku added a late goal as the Red Devils outclassed the USMNT at Seattle's Lumen Field.

Belgium struck early through De Ketelaere before Malik Tillman briefly gave the hosts hope with a deflected free-kick. That hope vanished just two minutes later when De Ketelaere restored Belgium's lead with a powerful header.

The second half turned into a nightmare for the United States after goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted Belgium a third goal. Hans Vanaken capitalized on the costly mistake before Lukaku sealed the dominant 4-1 win in stoppage time.

The defeat marked the end of the road for the final remaining World Cup co-host, with the U.S. failing to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

The build-up to the match was overshadowed by controversy after FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban following intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly urged the governing body to review the decision. Despite returning to the starting lineup, the tournament's leading American scorer was kept quiet by Belgium's disciplined defense.

Belgium's youthful attack stole the spotlight, with De Ketelaere repaying coach Rudi Garcia's faith in spectacular style. Lukaku also made history, becoming the first substitute to score three goals in a single World Cup tournament.

With momentum firmly on their side, Belgium now turns its attention to a high-stakes quarterfinal showdown against Spain..

USA vs Belgium Round of 16 Match stats, final score, stats, records, facts.

Boosted by home-field advantage, the United States meet Belgium on Monday, 6th July in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Belgium have reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-final for the fourth time, including the third time in the last four editions (2014, 2018, 2026).

Belgium are the fifth UEFA team to reach this year’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final, the third consecutive edition where UEFA will provide over half the quarter-finalists (5 or 6 depending on whether Switzerland qualifies). It had happened only once in the previous four editions (6 in 2006).

The USA have been eliminated in the round of 16 in six of their seven appearances at this stage, including their last four appearances in the competition (2010, 2014, 2022, 2026).

Charles De Ketelaere (2 goals, 1 assist) is the first Belgian player on record (since 1966) to contribute to three goals in a single match in the FIFA World Cup or European Championships.

Romelu Lukaku is the first player to score as a substitute in four different FIFA World Cup matches, including becoming the first to score in three different matches in a single edition.

With an assist tonight, Leandro Trossard (2 goals, 2 assists) became the third Belgian player on record (since 1966) to score multiple goals and provide multiple assists in a single FIFA World Cup (Eden Hazard in 2018, Jan Ceulemans in 1986).

Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku’s goals were the fourth and fifth by substitutes for Belgium at this year’s FIFA World Cup, the most of any team in the competition....

USA vs Belgium Head-to-Head Records

They have met 7 times historically. USA won the first meeting 3-0 in the 1930 World Cup, but Belgium has dominated since with 6 straight wins (no draws in recent history). Last meeting: Belgium won 5-2 in a 2026 friendly. Belgium leads overall, but USA has shown improvement.

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