USA vs Belgium, win, 1, 4, winner Belgium
United States
Belgium
FIFA World Cup – round 1 – 07/07/26 – 2:00
Justice itself declared. The Red Devils did it in a much-talked-about Round of 16 match against the United States. A match that was the answer to the Balogun turmoil. De Ketelare liberated himself and his country with a two-strike victory, Vanaken also rewarding an experimental team without De Bruyne, Doku and Lukaku in the starting line-up. Although the latter carved the standard match in stone: 1-4. Does Rudi Garcia have a (separate) plan for the quarter-finals against Spain?
What must one Donald Trump must have been thinking last night?
His USA, despite that much-talked-about phone call, was ruthlessly knocked out of the World Cup by a brave group of Belgians. You can be sure that the (football) world rejoiced.
The Red Devils played their most controversial match in history. With a starting line-up that seemed like Rudy’s roulette – without De Bruyne and Doku, but only Raskin and Onana – but it brought what we had been missing all these weeks.
Belgium played with fire in its veins, you could feel it from the first minutes.
Could it be because of that comeback against Senegal? Or this whole Balogun saga?
The fact is that Castagne and Tielemans came close to the first goal in the opening minutes, but ultimately it was De Ketelaar who rocked the Belgian night in the 9th minute.
Raskin – what a match he played – made a great move and found De Ketelare for 0-1. A dream start for the Belgians.
Charles the Savior
At about the twentieth minute, this wonderful feeling was interrupted a little.
Onana, still excellent, suffered an unfortunate fall. He had to go into the locker room with tears in his eyes. Vanaken took his place.
Just ten minutes later, the club captain was unfortunate to take the lead in an equalizer that came out of the blue.
On the verge of sixteen, Mechele made an unnecessary mistake at a dangerous point. And after Tillman’s free kick, Vanaken deflected the ball past Courtois with an unnecessary movement of his head.
1-1 – Lumen Field was shocked by the outburst of the American fans.
But instead of being flanked, the United States soon suffered another blow as the Devils showed not only good football, but also resilience.
A frustrated Trossard flashed in from the left and saw De Ketelaar rebound in his perfect cross (1-2).
Charles, our savior.
How good that must be for a striker who hasn’t been bowled much in this match.
This is his answer.
Seattle Statement
After the break, the Devils continued to attack without getting into any serious trouble themselves.
And suddenly one hour came gift of god Falling from the sky in Seattle.
American goalkeeper Freese remained too relaxed and did not see De Ketelare interfering with the game. He headed the ball straight to the feet of Vanaken, who took his chance from 30 meters towards an empty net and was then allowed to thank Rome after a dramatic save.
1-3.
USA? BELGIUM.
Garcia even added Lukaku and Doku – if you can do it…
Over the past half hour, the US has made only a few cautious attempts. Balogun, the man on whom so much ink has been spilled, aimed a great chance straight at Courtois.
Should you ask the President to call you for this?
Romelu Lukaku showed how it should be done and superbly slotted the 1-4 into the corner in extra time.
Statement in Seattle.
“We don’t need your waffles” – shouted an upset American in the stands.
And we didn’t need help from above.
The American dream is over, the Belgian dream continues. Meeting on Friday at 21:00. to a quarter-final in which everything is allowed and nothing is required against Spain.
Let’s go!
END: 1-4
It’s over. The Red Devils secured their place in the quarter-finals. In the end the score became 1-4 thanks to Vanaken and Lukaku. The tournament for the USA is over.
Lukaku turns off the lights: 1-4.
He couldn’t help but be on the scoreboard. Romelu Lukaku has gone even deeper into relations with the United States. After poor defending, Vanaken recovers the ball and Lukaku is able to put the ball into the net. With his right hand he sends the ball into the far corner. 1-4! Spain, here we go!
The Americans fumble and Lukaku also scores his goal!
The Devils are on their way to the quarterfinals. This really can’t go wrong anymore. Meanwhile, Balogun also disappears in the bank. Yeah, so it was actually still there. The man so many people were worried about gave a pitiful performance.
An additional 4 minutes will be added.
The USA still have a chance, but Robinson throws his cross too early and too far. So he sees that another chance for a tying goal has gone up in smoke.
Garcia makes two more substitutions. Alexis Saelemaekers will still get a few minutes, Axel Witsel could make his debut again at this World Cup. Ruskin and Trossard get a well-deserved rest.
Doku easily passes the ball to Freeman, after which Lukaku receives the ball. He can’t type, but Trossard eventually can. He swings to the left, but then sees his shot blocked.
Courtois again. He comes in to save a corner header.
Redding Courtois
Mechele allows the ball to slip away, allowing Balogun to escape. He throws a shot at an oblique angle, straight at Courtois. Good save from our goalkeeper.
Courtois prevents Balogun from scoring the tying goal
The Americans have not given up yet. Castagne sends a cross right to Berhalter’s feet. He delivers a beautiful shot, but one that, fortunately for the Devils, disappears just short of Courtois’ goal. The flame has reignited in Seattle.