Belgium Demolish USA 4-1 to Storm Into World Cup Quarterfinals
July 6, 2026 | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 16 | Seattle, Washington
Belgium 4-1 United States
Belgium Scorers:
Charles De Ketelaere (9', 33')
Hans Vanaken (57')
Romelu Lukaku (90 3')
USA Scorer:
Malik Tillman (31')
Belgium produced one of the standout performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating hosts United States 4-1 in Seattle to book their place in the quarterfinals. The Red Devils punished defensive mistakes throughout the evening and proved too clinical for Mauricio Pochettino's side.
Charles De Ketelaere was the star of the match, opening the scoring inside the opening ten minutes before adding a second shortly after Malik Tillman had briefly equalized for the Americans with a superb free kick. Belgium immediately regained control and never looked back.
The second half belonged almost entirely to Belgium. Hans Vanaken extended the lead with a composed finish after another defensive breakdown, while veteran striker Romelu Lukaku sealed the emphatic victory deep into stoppage time, sending the Belgian supporters into celebration.
For the United States, the defeat ends a promising home World Cup campaign in disappointing fashion. Despite strong performances earlier in the tournament, including victories over Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Americans struggled to cope with Belgium's attacking quality and defensive pressure.
Belgium's balanced performance highlighted why many considered them dark horses entering the knockout stage. Their midfield controlled possession, while De Ketelaere and Lukaku consistently caused problems for the American back line throughout the match.
What Comes Next?
Belgium now advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face Spain in one of the tournament's biggest matches. Spain progressed after defeating Portugal 1-0, setting up a blockbuster showdown between two European heavyweights with a semifinal place on the line.
