World Cup: Hosts humbled as clinical Belgium thump US in Seattle
The United States' strong start to the World Cup came to a shuddering halt in Seattle on Monday night, as the hosts turned in an error-strewn performance to lose 4-1 to Belgium. Get the
De Ketelaere doubles up
In a lively atmosphere in Seattle, Folarin Balogun of AS Monaco was in the eleven for the hosts, having had his red card from the previous match controversially overturned by FIFA. For the hosts, Mark McKenzie (Toulouse) and Timothy Weah (Marseille) remained unused substitutes. Belgium rang several changes, with the likes of Jérémy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne only on the bench, although Nathan Ngoy (LOSC) was back after having been sent off against Iran in the group stage.
Belgium's veteran side wasted no time in stating their intent, with Timothy Castagne's shot from range in the first minute well-saved by Matt Freese in the US goal. It would only take eight more minutes, however, for the hosts' resistance to be broken, as Charles De Ketelaere swept home a cross by Nicolas Raskin from close range. Just past the half hour, Malik Tillman would level the match with a free kick from range, benefiting from a wicked deflection, but once against the Atalanta man had the answers, heading home a Leandro Trossard cross to make it 2-1 (33') with his third goal of the tournament. Trossard then nearly had a third for his side with a clever bit of skill, but it would be 2-1 at the half, the Red Devils comfortably on top.
Belgium will play in the World Cup quarter-finals! 🇧🇪➡️ pic.twitter.com/QUMkrjJ5y3
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 7, 2026
mistakes abound for the hosts
After a sloppy first half, the US were glad to be down only by a goal, but despite several attacking changes by coach Mauricio Pochettino, the hosts were no closer to getting themselves back into the match despite a spirited spell of possession to start the second half. That stretch came to a halt on 57 minutes, though, as a horror attempt to come off his line by Freese saw Hans Vanaken score a third for Belgium.
By the time Romelu Lukaku scored his country's fourth in added time, there was little doubt that the US' combination of hope and hubris had been well and truly undone by Belgium's canny nous. The US' largely young side will now have to look forward to 2030, while Belgium will square up to Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday.
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