SEATTLE — The United States' bid for a deep run in the 2026 World Cup on home soil ended Monday night with a 4-1 loss to Belgium. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, exposing defensive weaknesses in the American squad.
Despite the return of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, the U.S. defense faltered. Mistakes contributed to two first-half Belgian goals, and a goalkeeper error by Matt Freese allowed a third early in the second half. Belgium's Romelu Lukaku added a stoppage-time goal to seal the victory.
Malik Tillman briefly leveled the score at 1-1 with his second free kick goal of the tournament, but the Americans conceded a goal just 61 seconds after the ensuing kickoff. The Belgian team, known as the Red Devils, will face Spain in the quarterfinals in Inglewood, California, on Friday.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed visible frustration during the match, notably kicking a rack near the bench and knocking over water bottles.
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