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Belgium beat co-hosts USA 4-1 to advance to World Cup quarter-finals

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Belgium defeated co-hosts USA 4-1 to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Spain.
  • The US team was eliminated in the round of 16 after a disappointing performance.
  • Controversy surrounded Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension, which FIFA controversially reviewed at the request of US President Donald Trump.

Belgium ended the United States' World Cup campaign with a decisive 4-1 victory, securing their place in the quarter-finals against Spain. The co-hosts, USA, were eliminated in the round of 16 following a performance that was widely described as flat.

Victory means the Belgians face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the US follow co-hosts Canada and Mexico out of the tournament with elimination in the round of 16 after a thoroughly flat performance.

Describing the outcome of the match and its implications for both teams.

The match was overshadowed by a dispute over Folarin Balogun's suspension. US President Donald Trump had asked FIFA to review the striker's ban for a red card, a request the governing body controversially granted. Despite this, Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia made several surprise selections, notably benching key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.

All attention pre-game had been on Balogun’s place in the US starting lineup, after US President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review the striker’s one-game suspension for a red card, and the governing body controversially obliged.

Highlighting the pre-match controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's suspension.

Belgium's gamble paid off as Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the ninth minute, silencing the home crowd. Although Malik Tillman equalized for the US with a free-kick, De Ketelaere quickly restored Belgium's lead before halftime. A goalkeeping error by Matt Freese and a late goal from Romelu Lukaku sealed the Americans' fate.

But Belgium’s XI had a few surprises of its own, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku among the heavyweights benched.

Noting unexpected team selections by Belgium.

FIFA's decision to review Balogun's ban drew widespread criticism from fans and pundits. However, the Seattle crowd initially reacted with a massive roar when Balogun's name was announced in the starting lineup, significantly louder than the cheers for US star Christian Pulisic. The "USA" thunderclap also drowned out the small contingent of Belgian fans in the opening minutes. The atmosphere, however, quickly deflated after Belgium's first goal.

De Ketelaere grabbing an early goal to puncture the feelgood vibes in Seattle.

Describing the impact of Belgium's first goal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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