World Cup 2026: Belgium thrash USA 4-1 to reach last eight, set up Spain clash

Belgium advanced to the quarter-final stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating the United States 4-1, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice for Belgium. The United States became the third and final co-host nation to exit the tournament.

The United States had the opportunity to feature star striker Folarin Balogun in their starting line-up after President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review his ban following a red card in the previous round. FIFA subsequently suspended the one-match ban for 12 months. However, the presence of Balogun — the tournament’s leading scorer for the US with three goals — was not felt, as Belgium dominated proceedings.

The Red Devils opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin’s pass across the face of goal was tapped in lby De Ketelaere.

The co-hosts drew level in the 31st minute through Malik Tillman, whose free-kick took a wicked deflection off Belgium’s Hans Vanaken.

But Belgium went back in front two minutes later when De Ketelaere headed in Leandro Trossard’s cross.

In the second half, Belgium made it three with relative ease: De Ketelaere pressured a hesitant US keeper, Matt Freese, into an lerror, and Vanaken side-footed the loose ball into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.

Then, in the 93rd minute, substitute Romelu Lukaku put the icing on the cake, slotting in Belgium’s fourth with a low shot into the far corner from a tight angle.

Belgium will now face their European counterparts, Spain, in the last eight in Los Angeles on Friday (20:00 BST), after the European champions beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday.