The victory extended Belgium’s impressive unbeaten run under head coach Rudi Garcia….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Charles De Ketelaere starred with a first-half brace as Belgium defeated co-hosts USA 4-1 at Seattle Stadium to book their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Spain.
Hans Vanaken added his first-ever World Cup goal before substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed the emphatic victory with a stoppage-time strike, ending the United States’ campaign and making them the last of the three co-hosts to exit the tournament after Canada and Mexico were eliminated in the Round of 16.
The victory extended Belgium’s impressive unbeaten run under head coach Rudi Garcia. Since losing 3-1 to Ukraine in March 2025 in the UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs — Garcia’s first game in charge — the Red Devils have gone 18 matches without defeat, recording 12 wins and six draws across all competitions.
Belgium also maintained their recent dominance over the United States, who have now lost seven consecutive matches against the European side. The Americans’ only victory over Belgium came at the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
Belgium signalled their intent early when Timothy Castagne forced goalkeeper Matt Freese into a fine save with a powerful long-range effort. Youri Tielemans then came close before the breakthrough arrived midway through the first half.
Leandro Trossard’s dangerous cross created confusion inside the USA penalty area, allowing Nicolas Raskin to square the ball for De Ketelaere, who finished from close range to open the scoring.
The hosts briefly drew level in the 31st minute when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick wrong-footed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
However, Belgium restored their lead less than two minutes later as Trossard again turned provider, delivering a cross that De Ketelaere headed home for his second goal of the match.
The contest was effectively decided shortly before the hour mark following a costly defensive error by the United States. Goalkeeper Freese rushed out of his area in an attempt to clear the ball but failed to make contact, allowing De Ketelaere to regain possession before Hans Vanaken fired into the empty net from distance for Belgium’s third goal.
The Americans pushed forward in search of a way back into the contest, with substitute Sebastian Berhalter shooting wide and Courtois producing two important saves to deny Folarin Balogun.
Belgium, however, had the final word as Lukaku capitalised on a loose clearance deep into stoppage time to complete a dominant 4-1 victory.
Belgium will now take on Spain in the quarter-finals at Los Angeles Stadium on July 11 after the Spaniards knocked out Portugal in the previous round.
