Belgium Eliminates U.S. 4-1 in Seattle; De Ketelaere Scores Twice

Belgium ended the United States’ World Cup on home soil with a 4-1 win in the round of 16 on Monday in Seattle, reaching the quarterfinals behind two first-half goals from Charles De Ketelaere. The co-hosts were eliminated at Lumen Field as Belgium punished a series of American mistakes and moved on.

De Ketelaere put Belgium ahead in the ninth minute, but the U.S. briefly pulled level when Malik Tillman’s 31st-minute free kick took a deflection on its way past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The tie was even for only two minutes. De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead in the 33rd, heading in a cross from Leandro Trossard. Hans Vanaken made it 3-1 in the 57th after a U.S. goalkeeping error, with Matt Freese hesitating or mishitting a clearance and allowing Vanaken the chance to curl the ball in. Substitute Romelu Lukaku added the fourth in stoppage time, scoring in the 90th minute plus three after another American defensive mistake.

Belgium were the sharper, more clinical side, with De Ketelaere the standout attacking figure throughout. The Americans had a route back into the match after Tillman’s equalizer, but they could not steady themselves after conceding again almost immediately. In the second half, Belgium’s pressure and the U.S. errors combined to turn a close contest into a comfortable win.

The result sends Belgium into the quarterfinals, where it will face Spain. For the United States, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, the defeat brought an abrupt end to its run in front of a home crowd in Seattle.

It was also a familiar outcome. Belgium had previously knocked the United States out in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, and this was another knockout-stage meeting that went Belgium’s way. The Associated Press reported the victory extended Belgium’s unbeaten run to 18 matches.

Belgium’s main concern after the win was an injury to midfielder Amadou Onana, who suffered a knee problem in the first half and was reported to be in doubt for the rest of the tournament. If needed, Belgium may now have to prepare for Spain without one of its key midfielders.