Read for 2 minutesUpdated: 7 July 2026 09:13 AM IST
A packed Seattle stadium fell silent on Tuesday as co-hosts USA crashed out of the FIFA World Cup 2026, losing 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 16.
Belgium, the 2018 World Cup bronze medalists, reached the quarter-finals and will now face Spain for a place in the last four.
The Red Devils clearly had the upper hand, registering nine more shots on target and producing a significantly higher Expected Goals (xG) than their formidable rivals. The Americans had no answer to Belgium’s relentless attacking streak, as goals from Charles de Ketelere, Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku dominated throughout.
The U.S. was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, while American defenders scored a pair of first-half goals and goalkeeper Matt Freese’s gaffe gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half.
After Chris Richards’ goal, second-half substitute Lukaku scored Belgium’s final goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
Eyeing their main World Cup title, Belgium beat the US in the round of 16 for the second time in 12 years, extending their unbeaten streak to 18 games.
Malik Tillman tied the score at 1-1 with his second free-kick goal of the tournament midway through the first half, but the Americans scored just 61 seconds after the ensuing kickoff.
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American star Christian Pulisic could only watch from the bench after injuring his right leg in an attempt to deflect a shot past Belgium captain Youri Tielemans’ boot in the 52nd minute. Pulisic then favored his leg and was substituted seven minutes later.
After winning three games at the World Cup for the first time in this expanded 48-nation tournament, the US failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 and lost to Belgium for the seventh straight time since winning the opening tournament in 1930.
(with input from Reuters)