The United States' hopes of a long, historic run on home soil at the FIFA World Cup were shattered in the Round of 16, as Belgium dismantled the co-hosts 4-1. The result knocked the Americans out of the tournament, and the biggest name in Belgium's win was Charles De Ketelaere, who scored twice himself and also played a key role in setting up another goal. Belgium exposed the weaknesses in the American defense all match long and marched into the quarterfinals in style.
USA fell behind inside the first eight minutes
Belgium came out attacking from the first whistle, even though two of the side's biggest names, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, were left out of the starting lineup and had to watch from the bench. That didn't stop Belgium from keeping constant pressure on the American backline. In just the eighth minute, Dodi Lukebakio played a long diagonal pass. Leandro Trossard brought the ball under control, and his cross cannoned off Alex Freeman and looped into the air. Freeman tried to head the ball clear of the penalty area, but Timothy Castagne raced past Chris Richards and squared the ball into the middle. That's where Charles De Ketelaere ghosted between Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson and slotted it into the net with his right foot. It was the first time in the entire tournament that the American team had fallen behind on the opening goal, and it set the tone for everything that followed.
Tillman's free kick levels things, but the relief didn't last
The 66,925 fans packed into Lumen Field in Seattle didn't have to wait long for a reason to celebrate. In the 31st minute, Malik Tillman curled home a brilliant free kick to make it 1-1. The free kick came after Brandan Mechele brought down American forward Folarin Balogun about 25 yards from goal. Notably, Balogun's one-match red card suspension had been controversially lifted by FIFA earlier, which is why he was even on the pitch for this match. Tillman's strike took a deflection off Hans Vanaken's head, wrongfooting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on its way into the net. Every American fan in the stadium sensed a comeback was brewing, but that joy would not survive for long.
Disaster struck again within 61 seconds, and Pochettino lost his cool
Just 61 seconds after conceding the equalizer, the American defense fell apart again. Leandro Trossard beat US defender Sergino Dest and delivered a pinpoint cross. Charles De Ketelaere rose above Tim Ream and thumped a header into the net, his second goal of the match and the eighth of his international career, putting Belgium ahead 2-1. American coach Mauricio Pochettino's frustration with his side's carelessness was plain to see. He kicked the water bottle rack in front of the bench, sending four bottles flying into the air, a moment that captured just how quickly the match was slipping away from his team.
A goalkeeping blunder made things worse
Early in the second half, a major error from American goalkeeper Matt Freese ended whatever hope was left. In the 57th minute, Brandan Mechele lofted a long ball forward. Freese let it bounce twice before cushioning it on his chest, but he hesitated instead of clearing it immediately. Belgium's players pounced on that hesitation and closed him down, and Freese's clearance ran straight into Charles De Ketelaere. Moments later, Hans Vanaken struck a first time shot from 35 yards out that deflected off Tim Ream and into the goal, making it 3-1 to Belgium and leaving the American comeback in tatters.
Pulisic injured and forced off, Lukaku seals it
The trouble for the United States wasn't over yet. Captain and star player Christian Pulisic hurt his right leg in the 52nd minute after colliding with Belgium captain Youri Tielemans' boot while attempting to score. He was seen limping on the pitch and was eventually substituted seven minutes later, in the 59th minute. Pulisic could only watch helplessly from the bench as his team's chances slipped away. In the closing stages, veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, who had come on in the 67th minute, put the finishing touch on Belgium's win. In stoppage time, in the 93rd minute, Belgium's players dispossessed Chris Richards and found Lukaku, who calmly finished into the net to make it 4-1.
Belgium's 18 match unbeaten run continues, Spain awaits
With this win, Belgium extended their unbeaten run to 18 consecutive matches. It is also the second time in the last 12 years that Belgium has knocked the United States out of the World Cup at the Round of 16 stage. Belgium will now face 2010 champions Spain on Friday in Inglewood, California, in what promises to be another major clash of the tournament.
