(FOX 5/KUSI) — Team USA entered the eagerly awaited round of 16 clash against Belgium brimming with confidence, buoyed by a sense of familiarity both with the stadium and the return of key player Folarin Balogun. As they took to a pitch they know well, hopes were high for a successful outing.
Yet, despite these advantages, the European contenders played the spoiler role with precision, as the Red Devils triumphed 4-1, thereby halting America’s advance in this year’s World Cup.
The contest took place under the lights at Seattle Stadium, the fortress of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, renowned for their stellar Monday Night Football record. Until this encounter, Team USA had never tasted defeat there, aligning with the Seahawks’ winning tradition — but that streak came to an end.
Belgium drew first blood in the 9th minute when Charles De Ketelaere capitalized on a defensive blunder inside the box, neatly directing a centering pass into the net. This goal marked the young Belgian star’s inaugural World Cup score.
In a spirited response, Team USA was awarded a penalty kick in the 29th minute. Malik Tillman seized the opportunity, converting a deflection off the wall to bring the U.S. onto the scoreboard. This successful strike was Tillman’s second goal of the tournament.
The game was knotted at 1-1 for only 51 seconds before Belgium struck again.
In the 32nd minute, De Ketelaere got the early jump and headed it into the net for his second goal of the match, putting Belgium up 2-1.
Things didn’t get much better for the U.S. In the 35th minute, Weston McKennie was handed a yellow card.
Just when things couldn’t get any worse, they did. In the 51st minute, USA star Christian Pulisic went down with an injury, with no foul being called on the play. Pulisic was seen limping on the pitch after the clash and was eventually substituted in the 58th minute.
Belgium’s persistent pressure proved to be the gift that kept on giving, as the European club had five shots on goal at halftime compared to Team USA’s one.
Matt Freese came out of the penalty box to play a ball in the 57th minute, when he whiffed on a clearing kick, and Hans Vanaken pounced on the mistake to make it 3-1.
Romelu Lukaku put the final nail in the coffin for Belgium, scoring in stoppage time to give the Red Devils a 4-1 win over the U.S.
Belgium will now face Spain in the quarterfinal on Friday in Los Angeles.