Belgium won the Round of 16 match with a resounding 4-1 defeat of the United States in the final round to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The game came with its share of controversy as well, amid a rules change by FIFA that suspended the U.S. forward (FB) Folarin Balogun in the first match of his new season.
Belgium found their form in the ninth minute and Charles De Ketelaere set up a tap-in from the defence inability to get away from the peril, allowing the side to get off to a flying start. The Americans took the initiative in the 31st minute by Malik Tillman hitting a free-kick off the edge of the post to deflate Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Belgium then put checks in at the back post after nearly a minute with De Ketelaere going past. But a high penalty and a costly error from United’s Matt Freese that gave Belgium their third in the 57th minute put the end to their bid for a rewind after half-time.
Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku added a fourth goal deep into stoppage time to seal an emphatic victory and send Belgian fans into celebration while disappointed American supporters headed for the exits.
Balogun had received a lot of attention leading up to the match after FIFA overturned his suspension due to a lot of discussion. The attacker had not impacted on the game despite his presence in the arsenal but Belgium dominated the game from start to finish.
Belgium take on Spain in the quarter-finals, while the resigned U.S. drop out of the competition after good, but failed campaign, at home.