Belgium thrashes USA 4-1 amid Balogun controversy, sets up Spain quarterfinal
A double from Charles De Ketelaere and goals by Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku powered Belgium to a 4-1 win over the United States in the World Cup round of 16, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Spain.
Balogun controversy overshadows US buildup
The United States entered the round of 16 under a cloud after FIFA lifted Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension following direct intervention by President Donald Trump with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The decision allowed the team's top scorer to play, but it also heaped pressure on Mauricio Pochettino's side before a crowd of 70,000 at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Of course, it's very good that we have all our players. And that Balo is available is important for the team.
The controversy appeared to unsettle his players from the start.
Belgium strikes early and often
Rudi Garcia made bold selection calls, benching veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Jeremy Doku in favor of Charles De Ketelaere, Amadou Onana, and Leandro Trossard. The move paid off almost immediately. In the 9th minute, a defensive miscommunication among three US defenders allowed Nicolas Raskin to cross for De Ketelaere to tap into an empty net. Belgium continued to press, and although Onana left injured in the 21st minute, the pattern was set.
US briefly level but overwhelmed
Malik Tillman equalized in the 31st minute with a free kick that deflected off the wall and wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois, sparking wild celebrations. But the joy lasted only two minutes. Trossard delivered a cross from the left and De Ketelaere headed home his second. Belgium controlled the rest of the half, outshooting the hosts 10 to 1. In the second half, Hans Vanaken made it 3-1 in the 57th minute after a goalkeeping error by Matt Freese, and substitute Lukaku added a fourth in stoppage time to complete the rout.
- De Ketelaere scores after defensive error, assist Raskin
- Tillman equalizes with deflected free kick
- De Ketelaere heads in Trossard cross for his second
- Vanaken scores after Freese error
- Lukaku seals the win in stoppage time
Spain awaits in Los Angeles
Belgium's victory sets up a quarterfinal against Spain on Friday at 21:00 in Los Angeles. The matchup revives memories of the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, when Belgium beat Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Spain, who eliminated Portugal earlier in the day, will have the chance to avenge that defeat four decades later. Belgium reaches the last eight for the third time in its history, while the United States exits despite its best group-stage performance.
