Brilliant Belgium Break Host Hearts in Comfortable Round of 16 Win
After FIFA’s questionable antics involving the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s 1-match ban, Belgium can feel proud and justified to book their place in the Quarter Final of this year’s World Cup.
Hans Vanaken (right), Youri Tielemans (middle) and Dodi Lukebakio (left) celebrate against the U.S.A
Belgium opened the game with true dominance. 4 shots letting fly in the opening 2 minutes, they barely gave the home side a chance to breathe. Eventually, the ball found its way into the back of the net after Ranger’s Nicolas Raskin carved his way through a chaotic box, sliding it across the turf to the eagerly waiting Charles De Ketelaere, netting his first goal of the tournament as Belgium’s centre-forward. A fully-deserved opening goal, in a game where the U.S.A continued to look short of their previously shown qualities. Loose passes, errors in control of the ball, that first hydration break couldn’t come soon enough.
Unfortunately for Belgium, their towering midfield-maestro Amadou Onana fell injured, having to be substituted for veteran teammate Hans Vanaken in the 21st minute. It was a big loss for the leading side, deprived of such a huge presence in the middle of the park so early on. Typically, bad went to worse, as with half an hour gone and just a single touch in the opposition box, ‘The States’ won a free-kick on the edge of the box. With their first shot, Tillman fired it goalward. A devastating deflection off Vanaken’s head, wrong-footed the experienced Thibaut Courtois, and the home side were back in it. You would be remiss not to consider that Onana’s 6’5 presence in that wall would have prevented the goal, but Belgium had to persevere with getting back in front without him. This, didn’t take long at all.
U.S.A manager Mauricio Pochettino
Minutes before the former Tottenham Hotspur boss kicked over a water-bottle holder in frustration, as his side fall behind in their home-tournament Round of 16 fixture against Belgium.
Directly back on the front foot, Trossard took ownership of the left-hand side of the pitch and jerked his way through to a crossing position, laying up De Ketelaere for another calm finish past Matt Freese. Just like that, the game was returned to its rightful state. Belgium were back on top just under 2 minutes later, looking to take a well-earned lead into half-time. Pochettino clearly had his work cut out for him in the break, as his U.S.A side needed to find a way to get comfortable and start playing their football, rather than chasing Belgian shadows.
Matt Freese’s goalkeeping error to give Belgium their 3-1 lead
Picture 1: Freese is caught in possession by Charles De Ketelaere.
Picture 2: Hans Vanaken receives the tackled ball and wastes no time to pounce on the mistake, passing the ball firmly into the net, beyond the helpless goalkeeper.
The tournament hosts started the second half with positivity, however any real goalscoring threat remained to be seen. Their attempts at deep playmaking were poorly received, their attempts at quick, short passes were rarely effective. Fans inside the stadium continued to wonder what was happening to their team, until disaster struck. Goalkeeper Matt Freese left his area to attack a loose ball, but after looking to distribute from his advanced position, his opposing striker got the better of him once again. Charles De Ketelaere won the ball for Hans Vanaken, who fired it from distance into the ‘keeper-less net. Tim Ream attempted to save his goalkeeper’s blunder, but missed, and Belgium found themselves 3-1 up out of nowhere.
After more possession but no further threat on-goal, the U.S.A could have done without the addition of Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku, who are bound to be a nuisance to any opposition. Charles De Ketelaere’s removal from the pitch was met with strong applause from the travelling fans, proving decisive in every goal and ultimately repaying the trust of his coach Rudi Garcia, who maintained his stance on the Atalanta forward’s inclusion up-front. Belgium’s side does not lack talent, especially in forward areas, but it was a joy to see some genuine impact from one of Garcia’s favoured men.
U.S.A Vs Belgium Attack Momentum scale
The U.S.A failed to make use of their 64% possession in the second half, failing to test Belgium and their comfortable lead.
A near-miss from Sebastian Berhalter and a couple of Balogun efforts were all that was left in the tank for the U.S.A. After minutes of uninspiring play, Belgium decided they weren’t yet done. More defensive mishaps from centre-back Chris Richards caused a determined Romelu Lukaku to curl home a beautiful finish, making it 4-1 to Belgium. Lukaku now has 3 goals off the bench for Belgium at World Cup 2026, proving his consistent quality and effectiveness, despite being past his best.
A trouncing of the tournament’s home nation, as Pochettino’s side complete the triple of co-host exits, all in the Round of 16. What now for the Argentine manager? For the winners on the night, it will be a tough battle against European Champions Spain in the Quarter Finals, on Friday 10th July.
