Belgium Thrashes USA 4-1 in FIFA World Cup
Belgium defeats USA, Charles De Ketelaere scores twice, USA out of World Cup
In a thrilling match at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Belgium dominated the United States with a 4-1 win on Monday night, securing a quarterfinal berth. The match, played in Seattle, saw Charles De Ketelaere score twice and assist on another goal, exposing the Americans' defensive weaknesses.
The US team, boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was lifted by FIFA, struggled to contain the Belgian attack. American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals, and a gaffe by goalkeeper Matt Freese gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half.
Malik Tillman had briefly tied the score 1-1 midway through the first half with his second free kick goal of the tournament, but the Americans conceded just 61 seconds after the ensuing kickoff. The Belgian team's victory was capped off by a goal from second-half substitute Romelu Lukaku in the third minute of stoppage time.
The win advances Belgium to meet Spain at Inglewood, California, on Friday. The US coach, Mauricio Pochettino, showed his frustration during the match, kicking a rack in front of the bench and sending four water bottles flying.
The match was also marked by controversy, with former US President Donald Trump commenting on the game, saying that if the US lost, it would be because the game was rigged. However, his comments did not seem to affect the Belgian team, who celebrated their victory with a dominant performance.
The loss ends the US team's hopes for a deep World Cup run at home, and they will now have to regroup and look towards the future. For Belgium, the win is a significant boost to their chances of advancing in the tournament, and they will look to carry their momentum into their next match against Spain.
The quarterfinal match between Belgium and Spain is set to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to advance to the next round. The match will be played on Friday at Inglewood, California, and will be a crucial test for both teams.
In the end, Belgium's dominant performance and clinical finishing proved too much for the US team, and they will now look to build on their victory as they progress in the tournament.
