United States v Belgium - World Cup 2026 result as Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku down sorry co-hosts

Belgium booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals after beating co-hosts USA 4-1 in Seattle.

Charles De Ketelaere scored a first-half brace, while Hans Vanaken added a third for The Red Devils in a nightmare moment for USA goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Romelu Lukaku climbed off the bench to add some gloss to the scoreline with his third of the tournament.

Belgium started on the front foot and were ahead after just nine minutes when De Ketelaere steered a low Nicolas Raskin cross into an empty net.

USA, who started sluggishly, got back on level terms when Malik Tillman’s free-kick from 25 yards out took a deflection off the Belgian wall and wrongfooted Thibaut Courtois.

But they were only level for two minutes, as Arsenal's Leandro Trossard darted down the wing before delivering a beautiful cross to the back post for De Ketelaere to head home a second.

Belgium extended their lead after a costly error from USA goalkeeper Freese, who came out of his box to meet a loose ball, hesitated, and was dispossessed before substitute Vanaken guided the ball into the unguarded net from distance.

Lukaku came off the bench to add a fourth, capitalising on another USA error in defence before fizzing a low effort across goal and into the bottom-right corner.

Belgium will face Spain for a place in the semi-finals, after Mikel Merino’s goal earned a 1-0 victory over Portugal earlier in the day.

As for the Americans, what a disappointing way to crash out.

They had enjoyed their World Cup to this point, and after all the controversy surrounding Balogun's involvement, they went out with a whimper.

Pochettino has gathered his players and staff in the centre circle and is giving a big speech. After looking frustrated all game on the touchline, he looks proud of his squad, who have impressed at times.

The quarter-finals are beginning to take shape.

We already knew that France play Morocco in the last eight and England face Norway, but now we know The Red Devils will lock horns with Spain.

It has been a near-perfect afternoon for Belgium in Seattle. One negative is the loss of Amadou Onana in the first half, and he re-emerged in the second half on crutches and with a knee brace on.

Lukaku even celebrated with an Onana shirt, which suggests it could be a bad one...

That is brilliant from Lukaku, who adds gloss to the scoreline for The Red Devils!

The striker picks up the ball on the left after another costly USA error; he cuts inside and steers an effort beyond the goalkeeper and into the bottom right corner.

Game over!

That's how long the USA have to rescue their World Cup campaign...

Belgium have surely got the job done here as we approach the last few minutes.

Their latest corner falls into the arms of Courtois, but this has been more promising from the hosts.

They need a goal, and they need one now. They're finally showing a bit of urgency.

The striker races into the box and he's at a bit of an angle, but he should do better as he strikes straight at Courtois.

He hasn't really been able to get into the game up to now.

The ball falls to Sebastian Berhalter on the edge of the box, he takes a touch before unleashing a powerful effort at goal, which clips the post and goes wide.

That would have been a very handy time to score...

USA are going to have to throw everything at this, but they have just never really got going. Belgium took an early lead, but the atmosphere has been flat, unlike previous USA matches.

They've got 15 minutes, plus added time to go!

And USA have made a change; Pochettino has rolled the dice!

This will be the final chance for Pochettino to get through to his players in a bid to keep them in the tournament.

They are in desperate need of a boost!

Lukaku and Doku are getting themselves ready to come on - that's the last thing USA want to see!

USA have simply not turned up today. They've been flat from the go and their equaliser was fortunate.

Belgium, although they suffered an early blow to lose Onana, have been efficient in the final third and have one foot in the quarter-finals.

There are still over 25 minutes of normal time to play, but it's a long way back for USA from here...

USA's No. 10 hasn't looked right since that clash with Tielemans and he's forced off.