Belgium Thrash USA 4-1, Book Spain World Cup Quarter-Final Clash

Belgium dumped World Cup co-hosts the United States out of the tournament on Tuesday after Charles De Ketelaere struck twice in a commanding 4-1 round-of-16 victory.

The emphatic win, however, came against the backdrop of a bitter controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s suspension, after FIFA reviewed the striker’s one-match ban following an intervention by US President, Donald Trump.

Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the Americans join fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico on the sidelines following a disappointing performance in front of about 67,000 supporters in Seattle.

De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half before Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku completed the rout, with Malik Tillman netting the hosts’ only goal.

Much of the pre-match attention centred on Balogun’s availability after Trump asked FIFA to review the forward’s one-game suspension for a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The world football governing body controversially suspended the ban, clearing Balogun to feature against Belgium.

The decision attracted criticism from football fans, pundits and players across the world, but the Seattle crowd had no such reservations.

A huge roar greeted the announcement of Balogun’s name in the starting XI, with the reception even surpassing the cheers for US talisman Christian Pulisic.

The chants of “USA” thundered around the stadium in the opening minutes, drowning out a small section of Belgian supporters.

However, the home crowd was soon silenced.

De Ketelaere Silences Seattle

Belgium coach, Rudi Garcia, raised eyebrows by leaving Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku on the bench, but his selection gamble quickly paid off.

De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the ninth minute, tapping home from close range after Nicolas Raskin’s cross exposed poor defending in the American penalty area.

It was the first time the United States had conceded the opening goal at the World Cup.

The setback appeared to drain the hosts, whose midfield struggled to match Belgium while the defence looked increasingly nervous.

Balogun offered the Americans hope on the half-hour mark when he won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.

The striker waved his arms frantically to rally the crowd as Tillman, who had scored from a free kick against Bosnia, prepared to take the set piece.

Tillman’s effort deflected off the Belgian wall and spun into the net, triggering wild celebrations inside the stadium.

The celebrations lasted barely three minutes. De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s advantage in the 33rd minute, rising to meet Leandro Trossard’s cross and comfortably out-jumping an off-balance Tim Ream to head home his second goal.

The United States gradually worked their way back into the contest before half-time, with Balogun firing over from a long Tillman throw before narrowly failing to reach another delivery from the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.

US coach, Mauricio Pochettino, changed his formation at the interval, introducing Gio Reyna into the number 10 role and moving Weston McKennie to the right.

The tactical switch brought greater intensity from the Americans, who pressed higher up the pitch after the restart.

But their hopes suffered another major blow in the 57th minute following a disastrous error from goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Freese raced out to collect a Belgian long ball and initially turned away from the charging De Ketelaere, but hesitated while attempting to make a pass.

De Ketelaere poked the ball towards Hans Vanaken, who calmly found the empty net from distance to make it 3-1.

The Americans’ misery deepened when Pulisic limped off injured minutes later.

His departure seemed to take the hosts’ remaining belief away as their hopes of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final since 2002 faded.

Substitute Sebastian Berhalter fired narrowly wide with an ambitious effort in the 79th minute before Balogun saw a close-range attempt saved.

Belgium, however, had the final say in stoppage time.

Chris Richards surrendered possession to Lukaku, and the veteran striker made no mistake, clinically finishing to seal a comprehensive 4-1 victory and send Belgium into the quarter-finals.