Trump And Infantino Clear Balogun, But Belgium End American Dream Anyway
USA Vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Gallery: Belgium delivered a ruthless attacking display to defeat co-hosts USA 4-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 at Seattle, booking a quarterfinal showdown with Spain. Charles De Ketelaere starred with two first-half goals and later set up Hans Vanaken to make it 3-1 after Malik Tillman's superb free-kick had briefly restored hope for the Americans. The hosts created chances through Folarin Balogun, but Thibaut Courtois produced crucial saves to keep Belgium in command. Defensive lapses ultimately proved costly for Mauricio Pochettino's side, with substitute Romelu Lukaku punishing another error in stoppage time to complete the scoring. The defeat ended the USMNT's World Cup campaign on home soil, while Belgium marched confidently into the last eight with a commanding performance.
United States' Folarin Balogun arrives for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. AP/Maddy Grassy
Fans light flares as they arrive at the stadium ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
United States fan sets off red smoke during the march to the match before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match AP/Eric Hiller
Belgium's Thibaut Courtois reacts before a World Cup round of 16 soccer match against the United States in Seattle, AP/Abbie Parr
United States fans during the march to the match before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match AP
Fans react before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday AP/Maddy Grassy
United States players huddle during warm up ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match AP/Maddy Grassy
Belgium's Youri Tielemans, left, and Nicolas Raskin celebrates after their team's opening goal against the United States AP/Manu Fernandez
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, left, U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone, center and FIFA President Gianni Infantino chat prior to the start of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match AP/Ted S. Warren
United States' Malik Tillman (17) celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match AP
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores his team's second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Belgium's Amadou Onana, left, and United States' Christian Pulisic battle for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
United States' Chris Richards (3) challenges Belgium's Hans Vanaken (20) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)
Belgium's Dodi Lukebakio, right, heads a ball next to United States' Chris Richards during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, front center, sits with U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone, left, and Pascale Van Damme during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. Top row, from left, former U.S. soccer player Alex Morgan, former U.S. women's national team coach Jill Ellis, and former referee Pierluigi Collina watch (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)
Belgium's Nicolas Raskin (23) attempts a shot at the United States' goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
Belgium players celebrate their third goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Belgium's Hans Vanaken (20) celebrates past United States' Matt Freese (24) after scoring their third during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
United States' Christian Pulisic (10) is greeted by a team member as he is being substituted during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
A fan reacts after a Belgium goal during a watch party for a World Cup soccer match between the United States and Belgium at the KC Live! entertainment district Monday, July 6, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Belgium's Youri Tielemans (8) reacts as he is tackled by United States' Malik Tillman (17) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
USA Vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: SBelgium's Maxim De Cuyper (5) kicks a corner kick against the United States during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) walks on the filed during a hydration break during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (9) celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
United States' Malik Tillman (17) reacts after Belgium's fourth goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, center, reacts at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino, left, is greeted by Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)
Belgium celebrates after defeating the United States in their World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026 Ted S. Warren
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