The United States’ World Cup dream came crashing down in Seattle as Belgium delivered a ruthless 4-1 victory to dump the co-hosts out of the tournament and silence a packed, star-studded crowd at Lumen Field.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half of Belgium’s World Cup clash with the USA
The third Belgium goal came after a humiliating error from USA goalkeeper Matt Freese (24)
Folarin Balogun was selected to start after his one-game ban was suspended by FIFA
Donald Trump called Gianni Infantino to ask him about the one-match ban given to Balogun
After weeks of belief, noise and growing hope around Mauricio Pochettino’s side, this was a brutal reality check. The build-up had been dominated by Folarin Balogun’s controversial eligibility saga after his red-card suspension was lifted by FIFA following Donald Trump’s intervention. But when the football finally began, the drama around Balogun mattered far less than Belgium’s clinical finishing and America’s defensive collapse.
Balogun started the match after being cleared to play, yet the USA’s leading scorer could not rescue his team on the biggest night in modern American soccer. Instead, Charles De Ketelaere became the star of the show. The Belgian forward scored twice in the first half and helped create another goal, turning a tense knockout tie into a nightmare for the hosts.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were among the star-studded crowd at the Seattle Stadium
Mauricio Pochettino consoles a devastated Chris Richards following the defeat in Seattle
De Ketelaere celebrates after giving Belgium the lead in the round-of-16 clash in Seattle
The USA made a nervous start and were quickly punished. Three defenders failed to deal with danger inside the box, allowing Nicolas Raskin to set up De Ketelaere for the opener. Lumen Field briefly came alive when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick brought the Americans level, but that hope lasted less than two minutes. Leandro Trossard crossed, De Ketelaere struck again, and Belgium regained control before halftime.
Pochettino’s frustration was obvious on the touchline, and his mood only worsened after the break. Goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted Belgium a third when he hesitated after coming out to collect a long ball, allowing De Ketelaere to deflect it into the path of Hans Vanaken, who finished from distance. Late on, Chris Richards’ mistake near his own goal allowed Romelu Lukaku to add the fourth and complete a painful night for the USMNT.
Under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among the sold-out crowd on Monday night
USA’s players huddle on the field to hear from coach Pochettino after being dumped out
Belgium’s players appeared to mock the political storm around the match with their celebrations, while their official social media account added fuel to the fire with a pointed message. After days of anger over Trump’s call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Belgium’s failed attempt to challenge Balogun’s eligibility, the result felt like football delivering its own verdict.
Malik Tillman’s deflected freekick brought the US level, only for Belgium to score minutes later
USA goalkeeper Freese reacts after a calamitous error to gift Belgium a third goal in Seattle
For the USA, the defeat was devastating. Christian Pulisic looked heartbroken after coming off, Balogun missed chances, and Pochettino’s future will now face scrutiny. A campaign that had promised transformation ended at the same stage where American hopes have so often fallen before. Belgium move on to face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the hosts are left with regret, controversy and a painful sense of what might have been.
