Belgium thrashes co-hosts USA to reach quarter-finals

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

Belgium comfortably advanced to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals after a dominant 4-1 victory over the United States in Seattle, fueled by a Charles De Ketelaere brace and critical American defensive errors.

Belgium brought the United States’ World Cup campaign to a definitive end with a commanding 4-1 victory in the Round of 16. Charles De Ketelaere sparkled early, netting a clinical first-half brace to put the Red Devils in control.

Malik Tillman briefly leveled for the co-hosts with a deflected free-kick, but a defensive lapse just two minutes later allowed Belgium to instantly restore their lead.

The second half exposed further defensive fragile behavior from the Americans. A costly error outside the box by goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted Hans Vanaken an empty-net opportunity, before substitute Romelu Lukaku added a late stoppage-time exclamation point.

While Sebastian Berhalter and Folarin Balogun forced late saves from Thibaut Courtois, tactical mastermind Rudi Garcia safely steered the impressive Belgians into a quarter-final showdown against Spain.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

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