Belgium produced a dominant display to beat the United States 4-1 and book a place in the World Cup quarter finals, ending the final co hosts’ hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice as Belgium comfortably defeated a disappointing USA team that created very few chances despite the return of striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun returned to the starting lineup after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban for 12 months following the red card he received in the previous round. The decision came after President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review the suspension.
Belgium took the lead in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin’s cross into the box was turned in by De Ketelaere from close range.
The USA equalized in the 31st minute after Malik Tillman’s free kick took a heavy deflection off Hans Vanaken and found the net.
Belgium regained the lead just two minutes later as De Ketelaere headed in a cross from Leandro Trossard to score his second goal of the match.
The visitors extended their lead after halftime when De Ketelaere dispossessed hesitant goalkeeper Matt Freese, allowing Vanaken to calmly place his shot into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed the 4-1 victory in stoppage time with a low finish into the far corner from a tight angle.
The win sends Belgium into a World Cup quarterfinal against Spain in Los Angeles after the European champions edged Portugal 1-0.
The defeat also means all three World Cup co-hosts have now been eliminated from the tournament. Mexico lost to England, while Canada was knocked out by Morocco.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team was hoping to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, but it produced a disappointing performance in its biggest men’s match in years.
Much of the buildup to the game focused on FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban. The 25-year-old had been expected to miss the match after receiving a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round.
Before the match, Trump said he had asked FIFA to review Balogun’s suspension, saying his absence would have left a “big stain” on the tournament.
Balogun, however, was unable to add to his three tournament goals. His best chance came late in the match, but Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made an excellent save from a tight angle.
The USA struggled to create clear scoring chances throughout the match and has now been eliminated in the round of 16 in four of its last five World Cup appearances.
