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Belgium national football team produced a dominant display to defeat United States men's national soccer team 4-1 in the Round of 16, securing a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and ending the hosts' hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil.
A brace from Charles De Ketelaere, a maiden World Cup goal from Hans Vanaken and a stoppage-time strike by substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed an emphatic victory at Seattle Stadium.
The result also confirmed the exit of the United States as the last remaining co-host nation in the tournament, following the earlier eliminations of Canada men's national soccer team and Mexico national football team.
Belgium signalled their intent early, with Timothy Castagne forcing a fine save from American goalkeeper Matt Freese before Youri Tielemans narrowly missed connecting with a cross from Dodi Lukebakio.
The breakthrough eventually came when Leandro Trossard delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area, allowing Nicolas Raskin to set up De Ketelaere for a simple finish.
The Americans responded in the 31st minute as Malik Tillman scored from a deflected free-kick that wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois. However, Belgium restored their advantage less than two minutes later when Trossard's cross found De Ketelaere, who headed home his second goal of the match.
The contest slipped further away from the hosts shortly before the hour mark after a costly defensive error. Freese rushed out to clear the ball but failed to make contact, allowing De Ketelaere to regain possession before Vanaken fired into an unguarded net.
Despite late efforts from substitutes, including Sebastian Berhalter and Folarin Balogun, the United States could not mount a comeback. Lukaku completed the rout in stoppage time, capitalising on a loose clearance to score Belgium's fourth goal.
Belgium will now face Spain national football team in the quarter-finals on July 10 after Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in another Round of 16 encounter.
