Belgium eliminate World Cup co-hosts USA to reach quarterfinals after 4-1 demolition job

Belgium defeated World Cup co-hosts USA 4-1 to secure a place in the tournament's quarterfinals.

The Belgians started the match strong, scoring in the 9th minute after striker Charles De Ketelaere netted an easy tap-in.

Malik Tillman scored the equaliser in the 31st minute, but De Ketelaere responded quickly, putting Belgium ahead again in the 33rd minute.

Belgium dominated long stretches of the first half, with the USA only having two attempts, one of them on target.

In the second leg, Hans Vanaken scored Belgium's third goal in the 57th minute, before veteran striker Romelu Lukaku scored the fourth and last goal in stoppage time.

Quarterfinals clash against Spain

Striker Folarin Balogun, whose red card ban was lifted ahead of the game, played almost the entire match but had only one threatening effort on goal.

Belgium football chiefs had challenged Balogun's eligibility for the game earlier on Monday but saw their appeal dismissed out of hand by FIFA.

The US' elimination means all three co-hosts are out of the tournament, after Canada and Mexico also lost in the last 16.

Earlier, European champions Spain struggled to break down Portuguese defences but scored in stoppage time to secure their ticket to the quarterfinals.

Belgium will face Spain in the quarterfinals on July 10 for a place in the semifinals.

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Source: TRT