Daijiworld Media Network – Seattle
Seattle, Jul 7: Belgium produced a clinical display to defeat co-hosts the United States 4-1 in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Monday, ending the Americans' hopes of a deep run on home soil and setting up a quarter-final clash against Spain.
Charles De Ketelaere starred for Belgium with two goals and an assist, while Hans Vanaken and substitute Romelu Lukaku also found the net in a dominant performance at Lumen Field.
The build-up to the match had been dominated by controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun, whose eligibility was questioned after FIFA suspended his one-match ban following a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Belgium had challenged the decision before the match, but Balogun was cleared to play.
Despite the pre-match debate, Belgium ensured the controversy had little impact on the outcome.
The Red Devils took the lead in the ninth minute after the American defence failed to deal with a looping ball into the penalty area, allowing De Ketelaere to react quickest and score.
The United States briefly restored parity in the 31st minute when Malik Tillman curled in a superb free-kick after Balogun won a foul around 25 yards from goal.
However, Belgium regained the lead just 61 seconds into the second half. Leandro Trossard's cross found De Ketelaere, who outjumped veteran defender Tim Ream to head home his second goal of the night.
The hosts' hopes suffered another blow in the 57th minute when goalkeeper Matt Freese committed a costly error. Attempting to play out from the back, his pass rebounded off De Ketelaere and fell kindly for Vanaken, who slotted into an empty net to make it 3-1.
Lukaku completed the rout in stoppage time after coming off the bench, adding a fourth goal to underline Belgium's superiority.
Balogun, who had attracted global attention after FIFA overturned his suspension, played a role in the United States' only goal and later forced a save from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. He finished the tournament with three goals, equalling Landon Donovan's tally at the 2010 World Cup as the second-highest by an American in a single edition, behind Bert Patenaude's four goals in 1930.
For the United States, the defeat marked a second successive Round of 16 exit at the World Cup. Christian Pulisic, expected to lead the hosts' challenge, struggled to influence the contest before leaving the field with a calf injury in the 59th minute.
Belgium's composed display highlighted the difference in quality, with the team comfortably playing through the American press and capitalising on defensive lapses throughout the match.
Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, while the United States exit the tournament reflecting on missed opportunities despite an encouraging campaign on home soil.