Belgium eliminate United States to book Spain quarterfinal
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice as Belgium beat the US 4-1, ending the co-hosts’ World Cup run after a dispute over Folarin Balogun’s ban.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Belgium knocked the United States out of the World Cup with a 4-1 round-of-16 win in Seattle on Monday, according to AFP. The result sends Belgium into a quarterfinal against Spain and leaves all three co-hosts — the US, Canada and Mexico — eliminated at the same stage.
The match began under heavy scrutiny after FIFA allowed Folarin Balogun to play despite a one-game suspension from a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round. AFP reported that US President Donald Trump had asked FIFA to review the punishment, and the governing body’s decision to suspend the ban drew criticism from fans, pundits and players around the world.
Inside the stadium, the reaction was different. AFP reported that Balogun received a loud ovation when his name was read before kickoff, even louder than the welcome for Christian Pulisic. A crowd of 67,000 then watched Belgium cut through the early noise within nine minutes.
Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring after Nicolas Raskin’s cross found its way through loose US defending, giving Belgium a lead the Americans had not previously conceded first in the tournament, according to AFP. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had started without Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, but his reshaped lineup quickly took control.
The US equalized after Balogun won a foul near the penalty area on the half-hour mark. Malik Tillman, who had also scored from a free kick against Bosnia and Herzegovina, struck the set piece; AFP reported that the ball deflected off Belgium’s wall and went in.
Belgium answered almost immediately. In the 33rd minute, De Ketelaere met Leandro Trossard’s delivery and beat Tim Ream in the air to restore the lead. The US had late first-half openings, including a Balogun shot over the bar from a Tillman long throw, but Belgium reached halftime ahead.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino changed shape at the interval, moving Gio Reyna into a central attacking role and shifting Weston McKennie to the right, according to AFP. The Americans pressed higher after the break, but a goalkeeping mistake ended their momentum.
In the 57th minute, Matt Freese came out for a long Belgian ball, tried to avoid De Ketelaere and delayed his pass. De Ketelaere poked the ball to Hans Vanaken, who scored into an empty net from distance, AFP reported.
Pulisic left the match injured soon after, a blow to US hopes of reaching a first World Cup quarterfinal since 2002. Substitute Sebastian Berhalter went close in the 79th minute, and Balogun later had a close-range attempt saved.
Belgium completed the win in stoppage time. AFP reported that Chris Richards gave possession to Romelu Lukaku, who finished to make it 4-1 and seal the Americans’ exit.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.