Team USA falls to Belgium in Round of 16 as their World Cup run ends

The USA team’s competition in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has ended.

Belgium defeated the USMNT 4-1 in front of a sold-out, US-dominated crowd in Seattle, taking full advantage of their opponent’s mistakes.

Not only was Charles De Ketelaere the man to score for Belgium nine minutes into the game, but his 39th-minute goal had Team USA manager Mauricio Pochettino kicking water bottles on the sidelines.

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Why? Malik Tillman, who scored a free kick goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32 rounds in the Bay Area, took another free kick right in front of the Belgian penalty area and went over the Belgian defender, sending legendary goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois away from the game one by one.

That’s when the momentum returned for the USMNT in the 37th minute. But once again, tough defending by the USA resulted in an easy goal for De Ketelaere, just in front of Matt Freese’s goal.

USA COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO KICKED THE POWER BOTTLES WITH DISAPPOINTMENT WHILE THE TEAM’S DEFENSE LOOKED STRONG IN THE FIRST HALF

But Freese made a big mistake in the second half that broke the momentum from being down one goal.

In the 57th minute, Freese left the goal while De Ketelaere was chasing the through ball, which completely changed the rules of the game. Freese got there first, but his foot got stuck in the turf as he tried to clear the ball.

United States goalkeeper Matt Freese reacts after Belgian midfielder Hans Vanaken scored against him as Belgian players celebrate during the second half of the World Cup Round of 16 qualifying match between the United States and Belgium at Lumen Field on Monday, July 6, 2026 in Seattle, WA. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

In desperation, he tried to kick the ball with his right foot, but De Ketelaere got in his way and kicked it over Hans Vanaken, Freese and Ream; they also got past Freese and Ream, who couldn’t turn his body to score one of the worst goals a team has allowed in this World Cup.

Overall, this wasn’t Team USA’s best effort in the Round of 16 when it needed it most.

To make matters worse, Pochettino was forced to take off Christian Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America”, after his shot attempt resulted in an injury. Pulisic kicked his right foot after a Belgian defender stepped in front of him. Instead of kicking the ball, Pulisic hit the heel of the Belgian defender and the man fell to the ground in obvious pain.

Pulisic tried to escape but Pochettino sent on Sebastian Berhalter instead with an obvious limp.

As for the biggest story of this match, Folarin Balogun, who was released after FIFA invoked Article 27 of the disciplinary code to postpone his red card, was of little importance to the team. Belgium did a good job of strengthening their defence, and Balogun never had a clean look to find the back of the net as he has in past matches.

The USA tried desperately to get back into the match, especially when Berhalter missed taking the ball over Courtois, but the ball sailed wide left. However, Belgium fulfilled their defensive duties and did not allow Senegal’s miraculous second-half comeback against them in the round of 32.

Belgian Charles De Ketelaere celebrates with teammate Dodi Lukebakio after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

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Instead, Belgium’s superstar striker Romelu Lukaku added another cherry to his victory with an injury-time goal past Freese in the second half. That was pretty impressive about a game they dominated from start to finish.

As you would expect, it was a heartbreaking group for the USA following this defeat, while Belgium celebrated their place in the quarter-finals where they will face Spain this week.

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