USA outclassed as ruthless Belgium cruise into World Cup quarter-finals

Belgium produced a clinical and composed display to overwhelm the USA 4-1 in their World Cup last‑16 tie, punishing defensive lapses and wasteful finishing to book a place in the quarter‑finals.

• USA will play with . , on .
• Belgium will play with Spain. July 10 at 19:00 (GMT), on None.

USA

• Matthew Andrew Geary Freese (6.3)
• Alexander Michael Freeman (7)
• Christopher Jeffrey Richards (6.6)
• Timothy Michael Ream (5.6)
• Antonee Robinson (6.7)
• Weston James Earl McKennie (6)
• Tyler Shaan Adams (6.9)
• Malik Leon Tillman (7.3)
• Sergiño Gianni Dest (6.7)
• Folarin Jerry Balogun (6.2)
• Christian Mate Pulišić (6.2)

Belgium

Substitutions:

USA

• Sergiño Gianni Dest (Giovanni Alejandro Reyna, 46)
• Christian Mate Pulišić (Sebastian Matthew Berhalter, 59)
• Tyler Shaan Adams (Ricardo Daniel Pepi, 72)
• Folarin Jerry Balogun (Haji Amir Wright, 90)
• Antonee Robinson (Maximilian Arfsten, 90)

Belgium

• Amadou Ba Zeund Georges Mvom Onana (Hans Vanaken, 21)
• Dodi Lukebakio Ngandoli (Jérémy Baffour Doku, 67)
• Charles Marc De Ketelaere (Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli, 67)
• Leandro Trossard (Alexis Jesse Saelemaekers, 89)
• Nicolas Thierry Raskin (Axel Laurent Angel Lambert Witsel, 89)

Ball possession:

Despite enjoying 56% of the ball and out‑passing their opponents for long spells, the USA were picked apart by a sharper, more ruthless Belgian side who repeatedly exposed them in transition and around their own penalty area.

Passes:

Folarin Jerry Balogun, the USA’s most active forward, worked tirelessly and registered the highest number of shots for his side, but a combination of wayward finishing and Belgian resilience left the Americans chasing a game that steadily slipped away from them.

Defense:

Belgium, who had just 44% possession, were devastating when it mattered. They produced 14 shots on target, with six efforts on goal – a volume and accuracy that reflected their control in the key moments. Charles Marc De Ketelaere, the standout in the final third, led all players for shots on goal and was central to almost every meaningful Belgian attack.

Face-to-face:

### USA’s bright start undone by Belgian efficiency

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Weston James Earl McKennie (USA) at 35 minute
• Malik Leon Tillman (USA) at 69 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• USA –
• Belgium –

Top 5 World Cup scorers:

1. Masour Ousmane Dembélé (3, )
2. Harry Edward Kane (3, )
3. Kylian Mbappé Lottin (3, )
4. Pape Alassane Gueye (2, )
5. Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli (2, )

Line-ups:

Next games:

• USA will play with . , on .
• Belgium will play with Spain. July 10 at 19:00 (GMT), on None.