After a heated and controversial lead-up to the match, sparked by FIFA’s incredible decision to grant Folarin Balogun a pass, Belgium knocked the United States out of the World Cup: the Red Devils defeated the hosts 4-1 and continued their World Cup run.

Under the watchful eye of Gianni Infantino, Rudi Garcia’s team immediately created a spectacular scoring opportunity. Timothy Castagne forced U.S. goalkeeper Freese to make a great save to prevent Belgium from taking the lead. The Red Devils’ excellent start was rewarded shortly afterward with a goal by Charles De Ketelaere.

Belgium’s first setback came just before the cooling break. In a seemingly harmless play, Amadou Onana injured his knee and was forced to leave the field, replaced by Hans Vanaken. The match then heated up even further: Malik Tillman scored on a free kick, surprising Thibaut Courtois, but Belgium’s response was immediate, with De Ketelaere scoring his second goal to put his team back in the lead.

In the second half, the United States increased the pressure in search of the equalizer, but just before the hour mark, Hans Vanaken capitalized on a superb assist from De Ketelaere and a serious mistake by the American goalkeeper to score the goal that gave his team a two-goal lead. Pulisic, who was already struggling and limping noticeably, was then substituted. Finally, in the closing minutes, Romelu Lukaku rounded out the scoring, sealing the victory and securing Belgium’s advancement. In the quarterfinals, they’ll face Spain, which eliminated Portugal by narrowly winning the Iberian derby.

After a heated and controversial lead-up to the match, sparked by FIFA’s incredible decision to grant Folarin Balogun a pass, Belgium knocked the United States out of the World Cup: the Red Devils defeated the hosts 4-1 and continued their World Cup run.

Under the watchful eye of Gianni Infantino, Rudi Garcia’s team immediately created a spectacular scoring opportunity. Timothy Castagne forced U.S. goalkeeper Freese to make a great save to prevent Belgium from taking the lead. The Red Devils’ excellent start was rewarded shortly afterward with a goal by Charles De Ketelaere.

Belgium’s first setback came just before the cooling break. In a seemingly harmless play, Amadou Onana injured his knee and was forced to leave the field, replaced by Hans Vanaken. The match then heated up even further: Malik Tillman scored on a free kick, surprising Thibaut Courtois, but Belgium’s response was immediate, with De Ketelaere scoring his second goal to put his team back in the lead.

In the second half, the United States increased the pressure in search of the equalizer, but just before the hour mark, Hans Vanaken capitalized on a superb assist from De Ketelaere and a serious mistake by the American goalkeeper to score the goal that gave his team a two-goal lead. Pulisic, who was already struggling and limping noticeably, was then substituted. Finally, in the closing minutes, Romelu Lukaku rounded out the scoring, sealing the victory and securing Belgium’s advancement. In the quarterfinals, they’ll face Spain, which eliminated Portugal by narrowly winning the Iberian derby.