Belgium cruised into the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over co-hosts the United States on Monday, capitalizing on a series of defensive mistakes to end the Americans' hopes of a deep run on home soil.
Charles De Ketelaere starred for the Red Devils with two goals and an assist, while Hans Vanaken and substitute Romelu Lukaku also found the net to extend Belgium's unbeaten run to 18 matches.
Belgium took the lead in the eighth minute when De Ketelaere finished off a well-worked move after the U.S. defense failed to clear the danger.
The hosts responded in the 31st minute as Malik Tillman curled home his second direct free-kick goal of the tournament. However, Belgium restored its advantage just 61 seconds after the restart, with De Ketelaere heading in his second goal of the night from a Leandro Trossard cross.
The Red Devils widened the margin in the 57th minute after a costly mistake by U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese. His hesitation while trying to control a long ball allowed Belgium to regain possession, and Vanaken's long-range effort found the net after taking a deflection.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku completed the scoring in stoppage time after Belgium won the ball high up the pitch.
The United States welcomed back striker Folarin Balogun after FIFA overturned his one-match suspension, but the boost was overshadowed by defensive lapses and an injury to captain Christian Pulisic, who was forced off in the second half after hurting his right foot.
The defeat ended the Americans' bid to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. It was also their second Round-of-16 elimination by Belgium in the past 12 years and their seventh consecutive loss to the European side.
Belgium will face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday in Inglewood, California, with a place in the semifinals against either France or Morocco at stake.
The result also confirmed the elimination of all six CONCACAF teams from the tournament, with co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada all exiting in the Round of 16.