Belgium opened the scoring as early as the 9th minute, when Nicolas Raskin’s pass across the face of goal was tapped in by De Ketelaere.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Belgium booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a thumping 4-1 win over co-hosts United States.
All attention pre-game had been on Balogun’s place in the US starting lineup, after US President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review the striker’s one-game suspension for a red card, and the governing body controversially obliged.
Belgium opened the scoring as early as the 9th minute when Nicolas Raskin’s pass across the face of goal was tapped in by De Ketelaere.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side levelled in the 31st minute when Malik Tillman’s free-kick took a wicked deflection off Belgium’s Hans Vanaken.
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However, the European side restored their lead two minutes later when De Ketelaere headed in Leandro Trossard’s cross to net his brace.
In the second half, Belgium were gifted a third when De Ketelaere tackled hesitant US keeper Matt Freese and Vanaken side-footed the ball into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.
And in the 93rd minute, substitute Romelu Lukaku slotted in Belgium’s fourth with a low shot into the far corner from a tight angle.
Victory means the Belgians face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the US follow co-hosts Canada and Mexico out of the tournament with elimination in the round of 16 after a thoroughly flat performance.
