Belgium Eliminate Host USA 4-1 to Advance to World Cup Quarterfinals

SEATTLE — The United States' bid for a lengthy World Cup run on home soil came to an end on Monday night when Belgium secured a 4-1 victory and a quarterfinal place. Charles De Ketelaere struck twice and set up another goal as the Red Devils repeatedly exploited weaknesses in the American defence.

Star forward Folarin Balogun was available after FIFA controversially lifted his one-match red-card suspension, yet the U.S. back line still struggled. American defenders were responsible for two first-half goals, and goalkeeper Matt Freese made a costly error that allowed Belgium a third shortly after the break.

Malik Tillman drew the hosts level at 1-1 midway through the first half with a free kick — his second from set pieces at this tournament. The equaliser held for just 61 seconds before Belgium scored again straight from the restart.

Second-half substitute Romelu Lukaku added Belgium's fourth in the third minute of stoppage time, punishing a mistake from Chris Richards.

"Everyone saw from the beginning we didn't connect with the game," said U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, who showed his frustration after Belgium's second goal by kicking a rack in front of the bench and sending four water bottles flying. "It's a process to learn. We need to assess that game and we need to see why we didn't approach the game in the same way that (we approached) the rest of the World Cup."

The result caps a grim night for CONCACAF. All six nations from the region have now been knocked out, with co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada all falling at the round of 16. Every team still standing in the quarterfinals comes from Europe, Africa or South America — a pattern that again underscores the gap between those confederations and both CONCACAF and Asia.