Belgian players in triumphal bliss PHOTO: AFP
PHOTO: AFP
Moments after Spain pipped Portugal through a Mikel Merino goal to secure a place in the last 8 of the FIFA World Cup, Belgium sealed their passage into the last eight following a 4-1 success in Seattle to deny the USA a first quarter-final place since 2002.
All the talk ahead of this Round of 16 tie was around Folarin Balogun, who had his one-match ban suspended, deeming him eligible to play against Belgium. USA boss Mauricio Pochettino decided to name his top scorer this WC in the starting XI to lead the line against the European outfit. Rudi Garcia’s men were in total control when play got underway as Matt Freese was forced into a save after just 45 seconds as Timothy Castagne tried his luck from 25 yards but his shot was tipped behind for a corner.
Aiming to do in 90 minutes what they needed ET to accomplish back in 2014, when eliminating the USMNT at this very stage, the 2018 bronze medalists continued to probe and netted the opener in the ninth minute after taking advantage of the US defence failing to clear their lines, which allowed Nicolas Raskin to drive into the box and his square ball was tapped into an empty net by Charles De Ketelaere. However, The Red Devils were dealt a blow moments later, as Amadou Onana was forced off with an apparent knee injury.
The USMNT took a while to settle into the contest but just as they did, parity was restored on the half-hour mark, after netting a free-kick against Bosnia in the last round, Malik Tillman lined one up again, this time from 25 yards, and the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder fired in via a deflection. However, Belgium restored their advantage less than two minutes later, as De Ketelaere bagged a brace, towering above the US defenders to head from close range after Leandro Trossard stood the ball up in the box.
Pochettino was visibly angry with his side’s defending for both goals and he made an attacking change ahead of the second half, bringing on Giovanni Reyna for Sergiño Dest, who struggled in the right-back position as both goals came via the right flank. The change did little to inspire the USMNT, however, as they continued to labour through the contest. Belgium took advantage of their opponents’ slow start and made it 3-1 on 57’ after Freese was caught in no-man’s-land as he rushed out the box to close down De Ketelaere but gave the ball straight to Hans Vanaken, who curled in an inch-perfect finish from 35 yards out.
Armed with a two-goal advantage, the Belgians controlled the final half hour, using their experience to see out the victory and even added a late fourth goal via a clinical Romelu Lukaku finish against a deflated American side who offered very little going forward, sealing a result that means all three host nations of the 2026 WC finals have all exited in the Round of 16. Garcia’s men have little time to celebrate, though, given that they face another stern test against European champions Spain in Los Angeles. Pochettino and the USMNT’s run comes to an end, and questions will now be asked of the Argentine’s future as he contemplates a return to club management.
-Flashfootball
