Belgium Crush United States 4-1 To Reach World Cup Quarter-Finals

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – Belgium advanced to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after producing one of their strongest performances of the tournament, defeating the United States 4-1 in the last 16. The result ended the US team’s hopes of making a deep run on home soil, while Belgium moved confidently into the next round against Spain.

The Red Devils entered the match with a surprising starting line-up. Head coach Rudi Garcia left several big names, including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku, on the bench. Instead, Charles De Ketelaere led the attack alongside Leandro Trossard and Dodi Lukebakio, a decision that proved decisive as Belgium’s reshaped front line quickly caused major problems for the American defence.

Belgium started aggressively and nearly scored inside the opening minutes. Timothy Castagne tested US goalkeeper Matt Freese from distance, while De Ketelaere also threatened with a header. The breakthrough finally came in the ninth minute when De Ketelaere found space close to goal and finished calmly to put Belgium 1-0 ahead.

The United States tried to respond in front of their home crowd and managed to equalise in the 31st minute. Malik Tillman’s free-kick took a deflection off Hans Vanaken in the wall, leaving Thibaut Courtois wrong-footed as the ball went in for 1-1. However, the American celebration did not last long.

Just two minutes later, Belgium restored their lead. Trossard helped create the attack before De Ketelaere escaped Tim Ream’s marking and headed the ball into the net for his second goal of the match. The quick response shifted momentum back to Belgium and placed the United States under heavy pressure before half-time.

After the break, the United States attempted to push forward, but Belgium remained more organised and dangerous on the counterattack. A major turning point came in the 57th minute when Freese mishandled a long ball under pressure. Vanaken capitalised on the mistake, won possession and scored from distance to make it 3-1.

The United States made several changes in search of a comeback, including bringing on Ricardo Pepi, but Belgium’s defensive structure gave them very little space. The American side also faced another setback when Christian Pulisic suffered a foot injury in the second half and was later substituted.

Belgium sealed the victory deep into stoppage time. After Chris Richards gave the ball away near the back line, Vanaken quickly supplied Lukaku, who stayed composed and finished with his right foot into the far corner to complete the 4-1 scoreline.

The defeat means the United States have been eliminated in the round of 16, falling short of their target to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002. The Guardian also reported that all three 2026 World Cup co-hosts — the United States, Mexico and Canada — have now been knocked out of the tournament.

For Belgium, the win sends a strong message to the rest of the competition. Despite starting without several star players, the Red Devils showed depth, tactical discipline and clinical finishing. De Ketelaere’s two goals, Vanaken’s influence after coming on, and Lukaku’s late strike highlighted the team’s attacking options heading into the quarter-finals.