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France 24
France 24
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Benjamin DODMAN

World Cup 2026: Belgium thrash USA to reach quarter-finals and knock out co-costs

Charles De Ketelaere, auteur d'un double face aux États-Unis
Charles De Ketelaere scored a brace for Belgium. © Alex Grimm, Getty Images via AFP

De Ketelaere gave Belgium the lead in the ninth minute with a simple tap-in, taking full advantage of a nervous start by ​the US to ‌quickly deflate the partisan crowd.

Malik Tillman equalised in the 31st minute with a ⁠deflected free kick which wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois, but De Ketelaere restored Belgium's lead little more than a minute later with a back-post header.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: All the fixtures

The hosts played ‌with more authority after the break until a calamitous error from goalkeeper Matt Freese allowed ⁠substitute Hans Vanaken to score in the 57th minute, irreversibly shifting the momentum in a stunned Seattle Stadium.

Romelu Lukaku then added a fourth in added time to send US fans streaming ​for the exits.

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Congratulations to Belgium, who were excellent after a slow start to the World Cup.

Commiserations to the US hosts, whose limitations were brutally exposed tonight after a rip-roaring start to the tournament.

Stay with us for more coverage of the World Cup, including the two remaining last-16 fixtures: Argentina vs Egypt and Colombia vs Switzerland.

And here's our match report

A thumping win for Belgium. And a shattering halt to USA's World Cup party.

  • Integrity of World Cup questioned after Trump secures Balogun reprieve
  • Balogun named in US starting lineup
  • Belgium's De Bruyne, Lukaku and Doku all start on ​the bench
  • We're off!
  • GOAL! Belgium open the score!
  • GOAL! USA draw level!
  • GOAL! De Ketalaere again! Belgium back in front!
  • Half-time!
  • GOAL! Belgium extend their lead!
  • Full time! USA 1-4 Belgium!

Full time! USA 1-4 Belgium!

US hopes of a deep World Cup run at home have ended.

Belgium played brilliantly, exposing the Americans’ defensive liabilities to earn a quarter-final berth.

GOAL! Lukako scores Belgium's fourth!

Lukako rubs it in with a fourth goal for Belgium!

Four minutes of added time

The World Cup dream is fast fading away for Team USA.

Richards with a crucial block

Doku launches a Belgian counter and offloads to Lukaku, who can’t get a shot.

Trossard can but Richards blocks.

Courtois denies Balogun

Balogun races down the left and tries to fire past Courtois on his near post but the Belgian keeper parries.

It's now or never for the hosts.

Chance for USA!

The ball is headed clear in the Belgium box and falls to Berhalter, whose lovely shot is inches wide of Courtois' post.

Pepi comes on

Pochettino tries to revive the hosts' attack by bringing on Ricardo Pepi.

That third Belgium goal has really killed their momentum.

Enter Lukaku and Doku

De Ketelaere and Lukebakio come off, the former with a famous brace.

Freese makes a mess of it. Credit: Artur Marcarian, Reuters

Pulisic comes off

A further blow for USA as their star player comes off injured.

He's replaced by Berhalter.

GOAL! Belgium extend their lead!

Disaster for USA!

Freese deserts the posts to clear the ball but misses it completely. It falls to Vanaken who slots it home.

Shambolic defending from the hosts.

Pulisic pipped to the ball

Pulisic is about to shoot from the edge of the box when Tielemans gets a foot in front.

The American wants a foul but the referee waves him away.

A brighter start for USA

The hosts are at least showing more intent.

We're off again!

Reyna is on for Dest, who has not had a good game.

Belgium's tribute to Magritte

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