Amir Yaseen

Srinagar, July 7

Belgium ended the United States’ FIFA World Cup campaign emphatically, defeating the co-hosts 4-1 on Monday behind a first-half brace from Charles De Ketelaere to book a quarterfinal clash with Spain.

The Red Devils produced one of their most complete performances of the tournament at Seattle Stadium, with Hans Vanaken and substitute Romelu Lukaku adding second-half goals as the Americans became the last of the three host nations to exit the competition following the eliminations of Canada and Mexico.

Belgium signaled their intent early, forcing goalkeeper Matt Freese into a sharp save through Timothy Castagne before Youri Tielemans narrowly failed to convert Dodi Lukebakio’s inviting cross.

The breakthrough arrived in the ninth minute when Leandro Trossard’s dangerous delivery unsettled the US defense. Nicolas Raskin squared the ball across goal, allowing De Ketelaere to tap into an empty net for the opener.

The United States briefly restored hope in the 31st minute when Malik Tillman’s deflected free kick wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois to level the score. But the momentum shift lasted less than two minutes. Trossard again proved the creator, floating in a cross that De Ketelaere met with a clinical header to restore Belgium’s advantage.

The decisive blow came shortly before the hour mark after a costly American defensive error. Freese rushed out of his penalty area in an attempt to clear the danger but failed to make contact with the ball, enabling De Ketelaere to seize possession before setting up Hans Vanaken, whose long-range effort found the empty net despite Tim Ream’s desperate attempt to clear.

The Americans pushed for a response late on, with substitute Sebastian Berhalter firing wide and Courtois producing a fine save to deny Folarin Balogun. Any hopes of a comeback disappeared in stoppage time when Romelu Lukaku capitalized on a loose clearance and calmly slotted home Belgium’s fourth goal.

The victory sends Belgium into a blockbuster quarterfinal against Spain on July 10 in Los Angeles after the Spaniards dramatically edged Portugal 1-0 earlier in the day.

De Ketelaere was named the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match after scoring twice in a dominant attacking display, while Lukaku extended his fine form by scoring in his third consecutive World Cup match for the first time in his career.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia praised both his players and the supporters who stayed up to watch the match, saying the performance showed Belgium remains one of world football’s leading nations.

For the United States, the defeat brought an abrupt end to an encouraging tournament. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged Belgium were the superior side and said his team must analyze why it failed to reach the standards shown earlier in the competition.

Match information, quotes, and photos courtesy of FIFA.com