USA Crash Out as Belgium Cruise to 4-1 World Cup Knockout Win

Belgium secured a convincing 4-1 victory over the United States in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash in Seattle to book a place in the quarter-finals.

The defeat ended the United States’ World Cup campaign and marked their fourth consecutive elimination at the Round of 16 stage.

Belgium dominated the contest from the opening minutes and took the lead through Charles De Ketelaere after a well-worked move involving Leandro Trossard and Nicolas Raskin.

The Americans responded when Malik Tillman scored from a deflected free-kick after Folarin Balogun won a foul just outside the penalty area.

Belgium restored their lead before halftime as De Ketelaere headed home his second goal of the match from another precise delivery by Trossard.

The Europeans extended their advantage in the 57th minute after a costly mistake by United States goalkeeper Matt Freese. Hans Vanaken capitalised on the error by firing into an empty net from long range to make it 3-1.

Substitute Romelu Lukaku completed the scoring in stoppage time with a composed finish to seal an emphatic 4-1 victory and send Belgium into the last eight.

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side failed to perform against a superior opponent.

“From the beginning, we didn’t connect with the game. Even when we scored the goal, we conceded the next action. Congratulations to Belgium, they were better than us. We didn’t show what this team can show,” Pochettino said after the match.

Belgium impressed despite leaving experienced stars Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku on the bench at kick-off, with manager Rudi Garcia’s tactical decisions paying off.

For the United States, the defeat brought an end to a campaign that had raised hopes of a deep World Cup run, but defensive errors and missed opportunities ultimately proved costly against a clinical Belgian side.