Belgium booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a commanding 4-1 victory over the United States, whose hopes of reaching the last eight for the first time since 2002 ended in disappointment.
The build-up to the Round of 16 clash was dominated by controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban, allowing him to play following intervention from Donald Trump. However, the striker was unable to inspire the hosts as Belgium produced a clinical display.
Belgium made a bright start and went ahead in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin squared the ball across goal for Charles De Ketelaere to tap home from close range.
The United States found an equaliser in the 31st minute after Malik Tillman’s free-kick took a heavy deflection off Hans Vanaken and wrong-footed the goalkeeper.
Belgium restored their lead just two minutes later when De Ketelaere headed home a fine cross from Leandro Trossard to complete his brace.
The European side took full control after the break. A costly mistake by USA goalkeeper Matt Freese allowed De Ketelaere to win possession before Vanaken calmly slotted the ball into an empty net from outside the penalty area.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku completed the rout in stoppage time, firing a low shot into the far corner to make it 4-1.
Much of the attention before the match had centred on Balogun, who returned to the starting line-up after FIFA suspended his red-card ban for 12 months. The decision sparked widespread debate and shifted the spotlight away from the team’s preparations.
Balogun, who had scored three goals earlier in the tournament, struggled to make an impact against Belgium’s organised defence. His best chance came late in the game, but his effort from a tight angle was comfortably saved by Thibaut Courtois.
The United States looked short of ideas throughout the contest as Belgium dominated possession and punished defensive errors.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino saw his side bow out at the Round of 16 for the fourth time in their last five World Cup appearances.
Belgium now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Spain after the European champions eliminated Portugal. For the United States, attention is likely to remain on whether the Balogun controversy affected their focus in one of the biggest matches in the nation’s recent football history.
