Belgium ends U.S. World Cup run with emphatic 4-1 win

Belgium knocked the United States out of the World Cup with a 4-1 victory in Seattle. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added further goals after Malik Tillman’s deflected free kick had briefly brought the U.S. level.

The match turned sharply after the U.S. equalizer in the 30th minute. Belgium responded almost immediately through De Ketelaere’s header, and from there the Americans struggled to regain balance against a Belgian side that controlled central areas through Leandro Trossard, Youri Tielemans and Dodi Lukébakio.

The third goal captured the U.S. night: Matt Freese hesitated after coming out to deal with a long ball, allowing Belgium to turn the mistake into Vanaken’s long-range finish. Lukaku’s stoppage-time goal then closed out a result that the source report described as a clear Belgian performance rather than a fortunate one.

For the United States, the defeat raises familiar questions about whether a talented generation has converted promise into progress. Christian Pulisic was reported to have struggled before leaving in the 59th minute, Folarin Balogun helped create the free kick for the lone U.S. goal but had limited service, and Mauricio Pochettino’s team could not push beyond the round where the program has often stalled.