Belgium Dominates USA 4-1 to Reach World Cup Quarterfinals
Belgium defeated hosts USA 4-1 in the World Cup round of 16, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice, and will face Spain in the quarterfinals.
Belgium produced a commanding performance to eliminate the United States 4-1 in the World Cup round of 16, ending the last host nation's campaign.
The Belgians applied intense pressure from the start. In the opening minutes, goalkeeper Matt Turner fingertipped a powerful long-range shot from Timothy Castagne onto the crossbar. However, in the 9th minute, after a scramble in the box, Charles De Ketelaere slotted home the opener. Soon after, Belgium suffered a blow when midfielder Amadou Onana injured his knee in a fall and had to be substituted; he later appeared on crutches.
The USA equalized in the 31st minute through a free kick: Folarin Balogun – pardoned by FIFA after a red card in the previous match – earned the set piece, and a deflection off the Belgian wall beat Thibaut Courtois. But De Ketelaere restored Belgium's lead just two minutes later from close range.
In the second half, the Americans pushed for an equalizer but found Courtois in fine form. The game turned in the 57th minute when Turner made a costly error, losing the ball to Hans Vanaken, who scored into an empty net. Romelu Lukaku added a fourth in stoppage time.
Belgium will now face Spain in the quarterfinals, after Spain eliminated Portugal.
