Published: July 7, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Belgium, riding on Charles De Ketelaere’s brilliance, produced one of their most complete performances of the tournament to cruise into the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals with a commanding 4-1 victory over the United States at Seattle Stadium.
De Ketelaere was the standout performer, scoring twice and providing an assist as the Red Devils returned to the World Cup quarterfinals after missing out in 2022.
De Ketelaere became just the third Belgian player after Bernard Voorhoof and Youri Tielemans to score a brace in a FIFA World Cup knockout match, joining an exclusive list in the nation’s World Cup history.
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Having topped Group G, Belgium started with intent and wasted little time in asserting themselves. Their early pressure paid off in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin drove a low ball across the face of goal, where De Ketelaere arrived at the back post to turn it home from close range and hand his side the perfect start.
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Belgium dominated possession for much of the first half, controlling the tempo and limiting the United States to very few opportunities. The USMNT struggled to find any rhythm going forward and looked second best for long spells, with Belgium threatening to extend their advantage through quick combinations and intelligent movement in the final third.
Despite their lack of attacking threat, the Americans found an unexpected route back into the contest just after the half-hour mark. Malik Tillman’s free-kick took a significant deflection on its way past the goalkeeper, levelling the score with the United States’ first shot of the match and briefly shifting the momentum.
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Belgium, however, needed just two minutes to respond.
De Ketelaere delivers again
Once again, it was De Ketelaere who delivered. The Atalanta forward lost his marker at the far post before meeting a pinpoint delivery with a composed header that looped over Tim Ream and into the net, restoring Belgium’s lead before half-time and completing his brace.
Charles De Ketelaere helped the Red Devils storm into the quarterfinals. Pics: FIFA/X
The Red Devils continued to dictate proceedings after the restart, refusing to allow the United States any sustained spell of pressure. Their third goal arrived through De Ketelaere’s persistence, as he capitalised on Matt Freese being caught out of position, poking the ball away from the American goalkeeper before squaring it for Hans Vanaken, who calmly rolled into an empty net.
With a two-goal cushion, Belgium played with confidence and composure, frustrating an American side that struggled to create meaningful openings against a disciplined defensive display. Every Belgian attack looked dangerous, while the USMNT found it increasingly difficult to break through.
There was still time for Belgium to add further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time. Vanaken turned provider after winning possession high up the pitch with determined pressing, allowing Romelu Lukaku to race through and finish clinically. The strike was a fitting reward for Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer and capped off an emphatic evening for Domenico Tedesco’s side.
The statistics reflected Belgium’s dominance, with the Red Devils finishing the contest with an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.01 compared to the United States’ 0.63. They controlled the game for long periods and were clinical when their opportunities arrived.
Belgium now march into the quarterfinals, where a blockbuster meeting with Spain awaits at Los Angeles Stadium in four days’ time. For the United States, meanwhile, an encouraging campaign comes to an end in the Round of 16 after they were comfortably outplayed by one of the tournament’s most impressive teams.
