‘Big disappointment’: The truth behind America’s shocking loss to Belgium
USA TODAY Sports’ Seth Bartelny breaks down the USMNT’s stunning World Cup loss, what went wrong against Belgium, and why this loss was so disappointing.
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SEATTLE — The U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup dreams ended Monday with a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
It was a flat, uninspired performance for the USMNT. He was outstanding for most of the World Cup on home soil.
Charles de Ketelaer gave Belgium the lead after just nine minutes, capping off a terrible start for the United States.
Malik Tillman equalized in the 31st minute from a deflected free-kick, but Belgium regained the lead just two minutes later when De Ketelaele headed home.
In the 57th minute, disaster struck for the USMNT. Matt Freese was sent off for taking too long on the ball outside the box, allowing Hans Vanaken to score the opening goal, but Tim Ream was unable to prevent the goal. Romelu Lukaku added some sparkle to the result in stoppage time.
The United States will be eliminated in the last 16, just like in the past three World Cups. This time they won at least in the knockout game, but this ending will be very disappointing.
There’s the icing on the cake! Lukaku scored and by stoppage time it was 4-1.
That doesn’t seem to be happening in the 88th minute. America was once again eliminated in the round of 16.
Balogun is played in behind the defence, but his angle is tight and his shot from the near post is easily saved by Courtois.
Berhalter took a shot from long range, but it just missed the target. The midfielder tries to inspire the crowd as the U.S. enters the final 10 minutes and stoppage time needing two goals.
Pochettino is now aiming for bankruptcy by introducing Pepi into the game instead of Adams.
During a hydration break, Eddie Vedder appears on a big screen with “Alive” playing, chugs a beer, and spills it on himself.
Tillman vented his frustration with a rough challenge on Tielemans near midfield, earning him a yellow card. A hydration break will begin soon.
Not surprisingly, the United States saw the wind completely taken out of its sails. There’s still time for a comeback, but it’s hard to see that happening now. Can someone step up?
To make matters worse, Pulisic was unable to recover from his injury and was forced to leave after scoring. Berhalter will take his place.
This was a goal for Belgium and a complete disaster for the USMNT at the back. Freeze plays a long ball to the chest but takes too long to play and De Quetelaele sneaks in to take the ball away. Vanaken still has a lot of work to do, but his long-range shot somehow evades Ream and ends up in an empty net. With 3 wins and 1 loss, the U.S. might be almost done.
Pulisic doesn’t seem to be at 100% here and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to stay in the game. Now he’s trying to eradicate it.
Pulisic was taking a shot when he was challenged by Tielemans, who blocked his leg and caused Pulisic to fall. No foul was called as Pulisic kicked Tielemans’ leg. Pulisic is fine to play.
The first half started off a bit positive for the USA, who dominated the ball from the start.
The United States made a substitution at halftime, with Reina coming on in place of Dest. The United States seems to be shifting to a back four with Freeman sliding to right back.
So much for a very poor first half for the USMNT. Fortunately, we only lost by one point. It was a hesitant performance, with many goals conceded and defensive mistakes.
Belgium might really be dry at home by now. Lukebakio took a free header from a free kick, and was completely free to fire his header wide of the target.
Aside from that free kick goal, the U.S. still really struggles to maintain possession and create chances. Allowing the second goal was a big blow.
Belgium counterattacked and the game was even after just one minute! Trossard beat Dest with a cross from the left and De Quetelaere scored his second goal of the game, beating Ream to head home. It’s 2-1 again.
Despite the flow of the game, America scored the tying goal! Tillman scored from a free kick for the second straight game. This took a nasty turn from Vanaken’s head, but the US wouldn’t mind one bit.
Pulisic came in to see more of the ball and a pass to Balogun earned the USA a free kick in a dangerous area. A photo opportunity here.
The break comes at a good time for the US, which has been inexplicably flat here. They may concede more than one goal, but it is not yet a problem for Belgium’s back line. It’s not powerful enough overall.
Onana is examined on the sideline for injuries, but it soon becomes clear that he is unable to continue. Belgium struck early and Vanaken was brought on.
It was an awkward fall for Onana, who appeared to twist her knee. He limped off the field, but it is unclear whether he will continue.
The US seems hesitant both with and without the ball. This is definitely the worst result seen from this group in the World Cup so far.
America is stunned! Ruskin is wary of a 50/50 ball in the box, but the defenders don’t get close to him. He then successfully placed a low cross into the empty net for De Quetelaele. It’s been a bad start for the United States, and it’s being punished.
Tielemans completely squandered a golden chance, giving the United States a big break.
It was a big moment for Freeze. For Freeze, there were a lot of question marks before the tournament, and he hasn’t been tested much so far.
Just one minute into the match, Freeze used full extension to block Castagne from outside the box. This might be his best save of the tournament.
It’s underway here in Seattle!
Where to watch USA Soccer vs. Belgium
Watch every World Cup match on Fubo
The USMNT remains unchanged from their win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, so as expected, Folarin Balogun will remain in the lineup.
goalkeeper
matt freeze
defender
Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Anthony Robinson
midfielder
Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie
attack
Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, somewhat surprisingly, opted to leave Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku on the bench and instead start Dodi Lukebakio, who scored twice against the United States in a friendly in March.
goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois
defender
Timothy Castagne, Nathan Goy, Brandon Mechel, Maxim de Kuiper
midfielder
Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Nicholas Raskin
attack
Dodi Lukebakio, Charles de Quetelaer, Leandro Trossard
After both national anthems and flyovers, it’s showtime here in Seattle.
Before the game, we’ll be playing a classic John Denver song that’s been playing throughout this tournament. But why will America play “Country Road” in the World Cup? Read here.
With 20 minutes left until the game starts, there are almost no empty seats at Lumen Field. This crowd is ready.
The lineup for the U.S. team was announced, and it was Folarin Balogun who received the loudest cheers from the crowd here in Seattle.
These teams met just a few months ago, with Belgium just defeating the United States 5-2 in a friendly in Atlanta. Dodi Lukebakio came off the bench to score his second goal for Belgium, which may help explain his start today.
The crowd here in Seattle is going wild as the U.S. takes the field to warm up for “Appearing in the Sandman.” Again, there will be a very pro-American crowd.
The U.S. vs. Belgium game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET.
The Round of 16 games will be held at Lumen Field in Seattle.
The winner of USA vs. Belgium will face Spain in the quarterfinals.
Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in the opening game on Monday. Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the game in the closing stages, defeating star Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.
- Seth Terny: USA 2-0 Belgium – Even before Folarin Balogun’s suspension was successfully overturned, the United States looked like slight favorites to win. With momentum and a star striker back, the U.S. should continue to do well.
- john arnold: USA 2-1 Belgium (AET) – The ghosts of 2014 were shattered as a disciplined US team got offensive contributions from all over the field and Chris Richards did enough to hold Belgium to one point.
- Jesse Yomtov: America 0 – 2 Belgium (AET) – Folarin Balogun will play, but Kevin De Bruyne will show he is still elite and will shatter the USMNT defense.
- victoria hernandez: America 1-2 Belgium – Even as the USMNT is revitalized by Balogun’s play, Lukaku continues to provide plenty of inspiration for Belgium.
The USMNT will wear all navy blue uniforms in the round of 16 against Belgium.
The Belgian will wear an alternative kit of white, turquoise and pink.
Stay up to date with the latest developments with fast-moving stories.
2026 World Cup Team Complete Roster
round 16
- July 4: France vs. Paraguay – Philadelphia
- July 4: Morocco vs. Canada – Houston
- July 5: Norway vs. Brazil – East Rutherford
- 5th July: England v Mexico – Mexico City
- July 6: Spain vs. Portugal – Arlington
- July 6: USA vs. Belgium – Seattle – Buy tickets
- July 7: Argentina vs Egypt – Atlanta – Buy Tickets
- July 7: Switzerland vs Colombia – Vancouver – Buy tickets
USA striker Folarin Balogun is expected to be in the squad for the game against Belgium after FIFA controversially handed him an automatic one-match suspension for a red card in the Round of 32 match against Bosnia.
While most thought Balogun’s red card was harsh, there has been some uproar over the fact that Donald Trump called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to lobby for the ban to be lifted.
In a statement Monday, Infantino denied that Trump had any influence on the disciplinary process.
quarterfinals
- July 9: France vs. Morocco – Foxboro
- July 10: Spain vs. USA/BEL – Inglewood
- July 11: Norway vs. England – Miami
- July 11: ARG/EGY vs. SWI/COL – Kansas City
Monday’s game in Seattle begins at 5 p.m. Pacific time.
Belgium has never won a World Cup, their best finish being third place in 2018.
America has never won the World Cup. Their best result was in the first tournament in 1930, when the team placed third.
