Belgium crushed co-hosts USA 4-1 in Seattle on Monday night to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, delivering a decisive sporting response to the off-field controversy surrounding striker Folarin Balogun’s reinstated one-game ban. The result, sealed by goals from Charles De Ketelaere (9’, 33’), Hans Vanaken (57’) and Romelu Lukaku (90+3’), ended the United States’ tournament run in front of 66,925 fans and marked the final elimination of the three co-host nations from the 2026 edition.

The match had been overshadowed by FIFA’s decision to lift Balogun’s suspension—originally earned for a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina—after US President Donald Trump personally lobbied FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump confirmed the intervention in a post-match statement, telling reporters, “We accepted the decision when I saw the red card, and we accepted the decision when we were told I could play.”

Belgium, however, answered on the pitch. De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the ninth minute, capitalising on a loose clearance inside the box, before doubling the lead two minutes after the restart when Leandro Trossard’s cross was headed in by the teenager. Malik Tillman pulled one back for the USA in the 31st minute from a set piece, but De Ketelaere restored the two-goal cushion moments later. In the 57th minute, a costly error by US goalkeeper Matt Freese—who miscontrolled a long ball outside his area—allowed Vanaken to slot home Belgium’s third. Lukaku, introduced late, sealed the rout in stoppage time, rounding Freese to fire into an empty net.

Belgian captain Youri Tielemans told *The Guardian* after the match that the team had discussed the Balogun controversy internally. “Let’s be honest: when we heard the news, we sat down to talk about it,” he said. “We told ourselves we had to answer on the pitch. And today we did. I’m very proud of the team.”

The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with Spain in Los Angeles on Friday, a repeat of the 1986 quarter-final that ended in a 1-1 draw before Spain prevailed on penalties. Spain had earlier eliminated Portugal 1-0 in the night’s other last-16 tie, with Mikel Merino’s 91st-minute strike ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career. Ronaldo, who made his 233rd and final international appearance, told reporters, “Naturally, I’m sad to go out like this, but I gave everything. I leave with a clear conscience.”

FIFA defended its decision to reinstate Balogun, with Infantino stating that disciplinary committees operate autonomously despite acknowledging a call from Trump. “We spoke, but the decision was made independently,” Infantino said in a statement. The move drew criticism across Europe, with Danish editorials accusing FIFA of undermining the integrity of the competition.

Belgium’s triumph was hailed as a vindication of sporting justice. “The Americans showed heart in the group stage, but tonight Belgium showed class,” wrote *Le Monde*. The result also capped a chaotic night in which all three co-hosts—Canada, Mexico and the USA—were eliminated, leaving Europe and South America to dominate the last eight.

Bluesky Threads

Source Intelligence

16 sources9 countries

Geographic Origin12 located

4 further sources not geolocated

Political Spectrum11 mapped

Articles

JUST IN - Belgium eliminates U.S. from the FIFA World Cup, 4-1. @disclosetv

telegram_Disclose.tv · about 2 hours ago

World Cup 2026: Belgium thump USA to reach quarter-finals and knock co-hosts out of tournament

france24 · about 2 hours ago

World Cup: Spain knock out Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo Spain have qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals after beating Portugal (1-0). Cristiano Ronaldo has played his final World Cup match.

france24 · about 2 hours ago

#Belgium 4, usa 1Final.#worldcup #eu #europeanunion

mastodon bot · about 2 hours ago

Cristiano Ronaldos World Cup career ends as Spain defeat Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo left the pitch for the last time at a World Cup, after Spain beat Portugal 1-0.

aljazeera · about 2 hours ago

„Ezt változtassátok meg – hiába a FIFA és Trump kavarása, Belgium kiütötte az Egyesült Államokat A FIFA döntése és Trump lobbizása miatt Florian Balogun végül pályára léphetett, de Belgium 4–1-re legyőzte a házigazda Egyesült Államokat, és bejutott a világbajnoki negyeddöntőbe.

444.hu · about 3 hours ago

Editorials slam FIFA: You are ruining football Several Danish editorial writers are criticizing FIFA regarding American forward Folarin Balogun, who avoided a suspension in the World Cup round of 16 after being sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina. It emerged that US President Donald Trump had contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to have FIFA reassess the suspension. Commentators from Danish newspapers Politiken, Ekstra Bladet, […]

cphpost · about 3 hours ago

The U.S. mens run at the World Cup ends with a 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium #Europe

mastodon bot · about 3 hours ago

+++ Fußball-WM 2026 +++: Nach Balogun-Skandal: Belgien gibt Antwort auf dem Platz und beendet WM-Träume der USA Fifa äußert sich ausführlich zur umstrittenen Kehrtwende bei Rot-Sperre für US-Torjäger +++ Keine Karriere-Krönung: Spanien zerstört Ronaldos WM-Traum in der Nachspielzeit +++ Der WM-Newsblog.

handelsblatt · about 3 hours ago

Nach Skandal um Balogun: Belgien beendet WM-Party der USA Nach dem beispiellosen Fall Balogun reagieren die USA bei der Fußball-WM mit noch mehr Pathos. Sportlich ist das Turnier für den Gastgeber nach einer schwachen Leistung beendet.

faz · about 3 hours ago

Trevor Noah mocks Trump-FIFA World Cup red card controversy Comedian Trevor Noah joked that Trumps intervention in Folarin Baloguns red card saga was government interference."

aljazeera · about 3 hours ago

US team loses to Belgium, sending World Cup dream to a halt Belgium, motivated by the uproar surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun, dismantled any hope of the US reaching a first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years. US coach Pochettino relayed his disappointment and frustration but insisted that the backlash over Baloguns ban was no excuse for his teams poor performance.

le monde · about 3 hours ago

Belgium end US World Cup dreams with 4-1 rout amid Balogun row The United States World Cup dreams came to a crashing halt in the last 16 against Belgium on Monday as Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in a 4-1 win overshadowed by FIFAs controversial decision to suspend U.S. forward Folarin Baloguns ban. De Ketelaere gave Belgium the lead in the ninth minute with a simple tap-in, […]

cyprus mail · about 3 hours ago

Substitute Merino hits late winner as Spain end Ronaldos World Cup career Spain substitute Mikel Merino broke through a stubborn Portugal defence in the 91st minute to earn his side a 1-0 win on Monday to take the former champions into the quarter-finals and bring the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldos World Cup career. The midfielder scored six minutes after coming off the bench in the Iberian […]

cyprus mail · about 3 hours ago

WM: Belgien kickt die USA mit Balogun raus Im WM Achtelfinale gegen Belgien lief US-Stürmer Folarin Balogun am Montagabend in Seattle auf. Aber die USA schieden nach Kanada und Mexiko als letzter Co-Gastgeber aus.

faz · about 4 hours ago

If you win, its a stain: Americans react to FIFA-Balogun controversy USA supporters divided on Trumps intervention and FIFAs decision to suspend strikers ban in Belgium World Cup match.

aljazeera · about 4 hours ago

USAs Balogun has little impact as Belgium soars into World Cup quarterfinals against Spain USA star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, ultimately played a forgettable role in the 4-1 loss against Belgium. Earlier, Spain took out Portugal 1-0.

euronews · about 4 hours ago

2026 World Cup: Spain beat Portugal 1-0 to reach quarter-finals The European champions will face the United States, the only one of the co-hosts remaining, or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.

le monde · about 4 hours ago

Ronaldo says his last World Cup is over but Portugal decision can wait Portugal captain admits his teams last-16 match against Spain was his final outing in the World Cup.

aljazeera · about 4 hours ago

England beat Mexico 3-2 to reach World Cup quarterfinals England advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals with a 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City. Jude Bellingham scored twice before Harry Kane converted a late penalty, despite Jarell Quansahs red card reducing England to 10 men for the final 40 minutes.

yenisafak · about 5 hours ago

WM 2026: Spanien besiegt Portugal, die USA scheiden aus – das war die WM-Nacht Auch der letzte WM-Gastgeber ist raus: Die USA verlieren gegen Belgien, zuvor schoss Mikel Merino Spanien in der Nachspielzeit zum Sieg gegen Portugal. Die Spielberichte

die zeit · about 5 hours ago

For One Night, Support for Belgiums Soccer Team Swells President Trumps unusual intervention over a red-card decision prompts strong backing for the next U.S. opponent in the World Cup.

wsj · about 5 hours ago

Merino strikes late as Spain edge Portugal, drawing curtain on Ronaldos World Cup career Substitute Mikel Merino scored an injury-time winner as European champions Spain beat Iberian rivals Portugal in a tense last-16 encounter to book a place in the World Cup quarter-finals and put an end to Cristiano Ronaldos career on footballs biggest stage.

france24 · about 5 hours ago

+++ Fußball-WM 2026 +++: Nach Skandal um Balogun: Belgien besiegt das Team der USA US-Star Balogun gegen Belgien in der Startelf +++ FIFA äußert sich ausführlich zu Balogun-Entscheidung +++ Keine Karriere-Krönung: Spanien zerstört Ronaldos WM-Traum +++ Der WM-Blog

handelsblatt · about 5 hours ago

Belgium thump ragged USA to end co-hosts World Cup dream and set up Spain clash Charles De Ketalaere scored twice as Belgium brought the United States World Cup party to a shattering halt on Monday, thrashing the tournament co-hosts 4-1 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Spain. The buildup to the match was overshadowed by a row over US President Donald Trumps extraordinary intervention to earn a red-card reprieve for striker Folarin Balogun.

france24 · about 5 hours ago

USA v Belgium: World Cup 2026 last 16 – live

bluesky_The Guardian · about 5 hours ago

LIVE: USA 1-4 Belgium – FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 All the text updates from our live commentary stream as Belgium beat USA in last-16, despite Baloguns suspension row.

aljazeera · about 5 hours ago

World Cup 2026: Spain edge Portugal with late Merino goal to reach quarter-finals

france24 · about 5 hours ago

Belgium thump USA to reach quarter-finals and end co-hosts World Cup dream Charles De Ketalaere scored twice as Belgium thumped the US hosts 4-1 in their World Cup last-16 clash in Seattle. The buildup to the match was overshadowed by a row raging over US President Donald Trumps extraordinary intervention to earn a red-card reprieve for striker Folarin Balogun.

france24 · about 5 hours ago

Trump says World Cup referees red card call was horrible but insists he left outcome to FIFA President Donald Trump on Monday took credit for getting FIFA to review a red card issued against the United States star forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup…

japantoday · about 6 hours ago