USA 1-4 Belgium Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Red Devils Set Up Spain Quarterfinal After Thrashing Co-Hosts

The final whistle blows, and Belgium are through to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with an emphatic 4-1 victory over the USA. The Red Devils proved too clinical on the night and will now face Spain in a blockbuster last-eight clash.

For the USA, the dream ends in the Round of 16 once again. Despite the optimism surrounding the hosts after reaching the knockout stage, they were outclassed by a ruthless Belgian side. With the USA eliminated, all host nations are now out of the tournament, bringing an end to their World Cup journey.

USA 1-4 Belgium

The United States and Belgium have competed against each other on two occasions, with Belgium emerging victorious in five instances, while the United States has secured only one win.

All eyes will be on USA teamsheet and Flo Balogun after the USMNT forward's red card was rescinded by FIFA. Football leaders questioned the World Cup’s integrity on a chaotic and unprecedented day in the event’s modern history Monday.

The furor centered on a phone call that President Donald Trump made last week to FIFA head Gianni Infantino to make the case that U.S. striker Folarin Balogun should not have been suspended for Monday’s matchup with Belgium because of a red card in a game last week. FIFA lifted the suspension and cleared Balogun to play.

UEFA was not happy with FIFA's call to rescind Balogun's red card. “When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined,” UEFA said in a statement.

“Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not,” it said. “When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.”

FIFA has officially rejected the Royal Belgian Football Association's (RBFA) protest over the eligibility of United States striker Folarin Balogun, confirming that the forward will be available for the Round of 16 clash against Belgium in Seattle.

Read more about it HERE!

USA XI: Freese; Dest, Richards, A Robinson, Ream, Freeman; Adams, McKennie, Tillman; Pulisic, Balogun.

Subs: Turner, Brady, Trusty, M Robinson, Arfsten, McKenzie, Scally, Reyna, Berhalter, Pepi, Aaronson, Wright, Weah, Zendejas.

Belgium XI: Courtois; Mechele, De Cuyper, Castagne, Ngoy; Tielemans, Raskin, Onana; Trossard, Lukebakio, De Ketelaere.

Subs: Lammens, Penders, Debast, Theate, Meunier, De Winter, Seys, Witsel, De Bruyne, Moreira, Vanaken, Saelemaekers, Lukaku, Doku, Fernandez-Pardo.

Belgium fans chanted “FIFA Mafia” during their pregame march to Lumen Field. The U.S.-Belgium winner faces Spain on Friday at Inglewood, California, for a semifinal berth against France or Morocco. The U.S. last reached the quarterfinals in 2002, when it was knocked out by Germany. The Americans advanced to the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930.

"We stayed in our own bubble, we saw what was happening but for us it's simple. Whether it's Balogun or anyone else, we have to win. We have to play better and we have to advance. So what's going on outside - I wouldn't say we don't care, but it doesn't concern us. We just have to be better on the pitch."

Away we go in Seattle. The winner of this match will face Spain in Los Angeles in four days time.

USA 0-0 Belgium 1'

A brilliant strike from Timothy Castagne, but it is a fantastic save from Matt Freese.

USA 0-0 Belgium 3'

Charles De Ketelaere gives BEL lead early on! What a goal, and what a celebration. USA defence goes to sleep as the unmarked Charles De Ketelaere taps in an easiest of goal and the Red Devils lead.

USA 0-1 Belgium 9'

Fans chant 'USA, USA' in the Seattle Stadium with the players need a wake up ASAP! There are no patterns of play and Belgium are all over the co-hosts like a rash.

USA 0-1 Belgium 14'

Seems like Amadou Onana has injured himself badly as the Aston Villa midfielder does not look he will return to action with his teammates consoling the player. Hans Vanaken comes on.

USA 0-1 Belgium 20'

Jeers all around as ref calls for hydration break. BEL with the most clear-cut chances with USA still not able to penetrate into the Red Devils half.

USA 0-1 Belgium 23'

Wow! Two consecutive goals. USA level things up via Malik Tillman as his free-kick completely catches Thibaut Courtois off guard. On the other end, Belgium take lead via Charles De Ketelaere goal as a juicy cross from Leandro Trossard meets the player who heads in the USA net.

USA 1-2 Belgium 33'

USMNT coach Maurcio Pochettino is not happy with his side. The Argentine wears a pensive look on the sidelines as he will be wanting to give his side a big telling at the half-time break.

USA 1-2 Belgium 40'

The United States has a throw-in, which is executed by Malik Tillman and subsequently flicked on within a crowded penalty area. The ball falls to Folarin Balogun, but he can only send it soaring over the crossbar. We go into six minutes of additional time.

USA 1-2 Belgium 45+1'

A late United States corner is coolly collected by Thibaut Courtois and that's the last action of the first half. Belgium lead the US with the co-hosts still in it.

USA 1-2 Belgium

We are underway in Seattle. USA make one change at the break with Sergino Dest being replaced and Gio Reyna comes in.

USA 1-2 Belgium 46'

Great start from USMNT with the high press and pushing Belgium in their own half. Unfortunately, they have not found the back of the net.

USA 1-2 Belgium 50'

Matt Freese makes a howler of a clearance and allows BEL to increase their lead. Freese exits his penalty box to attempt a clearance, but he fails to make contact, giving Maxim De Cuyper the opportunity to seize the ball. It falls to Hans Vanaken, whose shot appears destined to be intercepted by Tim Ream; however, he also misses, and the ball finds its way into the back of the net.

USA 1-3 Belgium 57'

Belgium make a double switch! Roberto Martinez freshens things up with Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku replacing Dodi Lukebakio and hat-trick hero Charles De Ketelaere. The latter doesn't look pleased with the decision, shaking his head as he heads to the bench after a sensational performance.

USA 1-3 Belgium 69'

Folarin Balogun bursts down the left with purpose and fires a powerful effort towards the near post, but Thibaut Courtois stands tall. The Belgian goalkeeper reacts brilliantly to parry it away and preserve his side's two-goal cushion. The USA are still fighting.

USA 1-3 Belgium 82'

A costly mistake from Chris Richards gifts Belgium one final opportunity as he loses possession under pressure on the left. Romelu Lukaku pounces, takes one look at goal and calmly slots his finish beyond the goalkeeper. Belgium have their fourth, and with it, a place in the World Cup quarterfinals, where Spain await.

USA 1-4 Belgium 90+3'