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Highlights of the match
Key moments
End of transmission
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End of the match
Belgium qualifies to the quarter-finals!
The Red Devils beat the United States 4-1 with two goals from Charles De Ketelaere, one from Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku sentenced the defeat of the Europeans who had a flawless match. Malik Tillman scored for the Americans who had their worst game of the tournament and couldn’t turn history around.
The game is coming up to the final minutes. The US is controlling the ball, but it is not having much clarity when passing passes, while Belgium remains focused on regaining control and looking for attack zone. Intensity at closure.
The hosts continue to insist on the Belgian arch. Sebastian Berhalter was close with a hit from outside the area and, shortly afterwards, Folarin Balogun forced the rival goalkeeper to intervene with a good tie-up to maintain the Red Devils' advantage.
USA is trying to react in the endgame. Malik Tillman caused a foul in the rival field and Mauricio Pochettino’s team moves up their lines in search of a tie, while Belgium resists with order in defense.
After the hydration break, the US makes a new modification with the entry of Ricardo Pepi instead of Tyler Adams to reinforce the attack. Before that, Malik Tillman was reprimanded for a heavy foul against Youri Tielemans in a match that remains highly contested.
America is approaching with danger again. Alex Freeman won from above after a corner shot, but his head was deflected. Belgium responded with the entry of Jérémy Doku and Romelu Lukaku in place of Dodi Lukebakio and Charles De Ketelaere to refresh the attack with the intention of seeking more depth by the gangs.
Belgium continues to seek to expand the advantage. Leandro Trossard tested a shot from the left side of the area, but the U.S. defense blocked the shot. Minutes earlier, the US moved the bank with the entry of Sebastian Berhalter instead of Christian Pulisic.
Goal! Goal! Goal from Belgium!
Abysmal mistake of the goalkeeper of the United States, Matthew Freese, who anticipated himself in a play that seemed not to have so much danger, He was slow to reject the ball and De Ketelaere’s pressure was key to keeping the ball for Hans Vanaken, whom he defined as his first intention to increase the advantage.
Now, the United States is intending to have more possession of the ball and start improving mobility in rival zone, but they still do not find precision in the last pass. Belgium remains attentive and focused on its area while maintaining the advantage.
Belgium is looking to build and manage the match with the peace of mind of having the ball. He is managing to be intense in the brand, play well and move forward with determination to hurt the United States, which is trying to close the defense spaces properly.
Start of the second half
Start the seconds 45 minutes. The United States made a change: Sergiño Dest entered for Giovanni Reyna, also took charge of the initial draw, but lost the ball quickly. Belgium is taking a good stance in the early stages.
End of the first half
Belgium beat the US 2-1 with Charles De Ketelaere’s double, rival Malik Tillman had tied. Before the break, the Red Devils again raised danger with a deflected shot of Dodi Lukebakio, while the Americans closed the first half by attacking and forcing a corner shot. Everything is open for an intense second time.
The addition minutes are played in Seattle, which were six. The US came very close to a tie with two consecutive arrivals of Alex Freeman and Folarin Balogun, but both squandered their opportunities. In response, Belgium again raised the danger and got a corner shot to close an intense end of the first half.
Belgium maintains pressure on the US arc. Matt Freese responded with a big catch to avoid Nicolas Raskin’s goal and, shortly afterwards, Dodi Lukébakio connected head-on after a stopped ball, but his shot went off deviated.
Belgium approaches again with danger and gets a corner shot after a timely close of Tyler Adams. Minutes earlier, Weston McKennie was reprimanded for a heavy offense over Nicolas Raskin, in an increasingly contested part of the match. The US does not seem to find an answer or a response.
The USA is trying to make its mark by taking advantage of Belgium’s violations. Mauricio Pochettino’s team begins to settle more frequently in rival field and seeks to create danger to the stationary ball, while the Belgians have made a dangerous offense near their area.
Hydration break at Seattle Stadium. The game stops for a few moments so that both teams replenish their strength, after several minutes of high intensity and constant disputes in the middle of the field.
Action resumes at Seattle Stadium after a brief interruption of medical care for Amadou Onana, who had to leave the field and will be replaced. Belgium will have to make the change in midfield, but with the player entering it will seek to become strong to keep the US away from the area.
The US tried to react, but failed to hold the ball or make opposing plays. For the moment, Europeans remain calm with possession of the ball and good shots as they advance, as they find space to attack.
Goal! Goal! Goal from Belgium!
After a neglect of the US defense by left sector within the area, Nicolas Raskin anticipated and took the opportunity to send a center by bass for the arrival of Charles De Ketelaere who only had to push the ball to the bottom of the net to put the advantage and celebrate with his teammates.
First minutes of intensity and good record by both teams. The United States sought to attack by the band to surprise the defense of Belgium, having received the first danger option in their area. The game is interesting.
Start of the match
The first choice of danger!
All set at the Seattle Stadium. Great atmosphere and the referee gives the order for the ball to roll, Belgium takes care of the initial draw with a very strong offensive intention. Timothy Castagne took a powerful shot and the goalkeeper of the United States sent the ball to the corner, saving his team.
Curiosities of Belgium
Belgium is one of the most traditional national teams in Europe and was the protagonist of several milestones, such as playing one of the first matches in the history of the World Cup in 1930 and leading the FIFA Ranking continuously between 2015 and 2022. Although his "Golden Generation" achieved great results, his greatest international title remains the gold medal won at the 1920 Olympic Games.
Curiosities from the USA
The United States was a semifinalist at the first World Cup in 1930, being the only team outside of Europe and South America to reach that event. He also played a major role in the historic 1-0 triumph over England in 1950, created MLS as part of the organization of the 1994 World Cup and, in recent years, has included figures such as Christian Pulisic, as well as consolidating a multicultural squad that reflects the diversity of the country.
Featured player
Jérémy Doku will be one of Belgium’s main threats in the duel against the United States. The extremity of Manchester City stands out for its speed and ability to outplay rivals in a one-on-one match, qualities that it already showed in the friendly between both teams played in March. His duel for the band with Alex Freeman promises to be one of the most decisive matches in the game.
Player to follow
Christian Pulisic is emerging as the key US footballer against Belgium. His ability to unbalance the left-wing band, generate opportunities and find the decisive pass will be fundamental for the attack of Mauricio Pochettino’s team, especially in a match where spaces will be reduced and second-line arrivals of players like Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest or Malik Tillman could make the difference.
Substitutes
From the bench, these are the options that the coach will have to modify the game as required by the development of the match.
13 Mike Penders
12 Senne Lammens
18 Joaquin Seys
3 Arthur Theate
16 Koni De Winter
2 Zeno Debast
15 Thomas Meunier
19 Diego Moreira
11 Jérémy Doku
22 Alexis Seelemackers
6 Axel Witsel
7 Kevin De Bruyne
20 Hans Vanaken
26 Matias Fernández-Pardo
9 Romelu Lukaku
Starting XI Belgium
With the eyes on victory, these are the headlines that will seek to impose conditions from the beginning and approach the great goal. The eleven players on the court will be the basis of the coach’s strategic plan, and they will seek to fulfill their role on the court.
Substitutes
From the bench, these are the options that the coach will have to modify the game as required by the development of the match.
1 Matt Turner
25 Chris Brady
12 Miles Robinson
22 Mark McKenzie
6 Auston Trusty
23 Joe Scally
26 Alex Zendejas
7 Giovanni Reyna
18 Maximilian Arfsten
21 Timothy Weah
11 Brenden Aaronson
14 Sebastian Berhalter
19 Haji Wright
9 Ricardo Pepi
Starting XI USA
With the eyes on victory, these are the headlines that will seek to impose conditions from the beginning and approach the great goal. The eleven players on the court will be the basis of the coach’s strategic plan, and they will seek to fulfill their role on the court.
Feeling the support of his people
Belgian fans began to make themselves felt around the Seattle Stadium, cheering for the Red Devils with songs and flags before the start of the match. European fans brought a great atmosphere to the previous round, confident that their national team would advance to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
All set
The players from the United States have already arrived at the Seattle Stadium, where they were received by the technical staff, collaborators in the preliminary of the duel against Belgium. With faces of concentration, joy and confidence, the team of Mauricio Pochettino entered the dressing rooms to adjust the last details.
Previous statistics
The US comes to this compromise with three victories and one defeat, while Belgium remains undefeated with two wins and two draws. In addition, the US team averages 2.7 goals per game against the Red Devils' 2.0.
The statistics favor Belgium, which has a 56% chance of winning compared to 21% in the US. Also expected a match with goals, as there are 57% options for exceeding the 2.5 goals and 56% for both teams to score.
Controversy over the habilitation of Balogun
The Belgian Football Federation expressed its surprise at FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s sanction, which will allow him to play in the round of 16 against Belgium. The body considers that the measure contradicts the Disciplinary Code and the rules of the 2026 World Cup, so it announced that it is studying all possible options to defend the principle of fair play.
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We will soon be sharing the opening lineups of the USA vs Belgium match and, plus the latest information coming from the Seattle Stadium, located in Seattle, Washington, USA. Don’t miss a detail of the match update and VAVEL coverage comments.
Revive the goals of both teams in a match where the Red Devils imposed their hierarchy from beginning to end. De Ketelaere, Vanaken and Lukaku were in charge of the goals. while Tillman had placed the tie for the host.
Belgium:
USA: