Belgium demolished the United States 4-1 in Seattle, ending the co‑hosts’ World Cup run. The American side showed little of the energy seen in their 2002‑style win over Bosnia‑Herzegovina, and a defensive collapse left them unable to mount a comeback.

The Dutch forward De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the 9th rebate with a header from Trossard’s cross. A 31‑minute free‑kick by Tillman brought the hosts level, but Belgium reclaimed the lead 33 minutes later with a back‑post header. A long‑range effort from Vanaken added a third, and a late strike by Lukaku sealed the 4‑1 result.

A controversial decision saw Folarin Balogun’s red card suspended, but his limited involvement—only 19 touches—did little to rally the squad. The episode, amplified by Donald Trump’s comments, may have unsettled the players and contributed to the defensive lapses.

With the elimination, the United States now faces a quarter‑final clash with Spain in Los Angeles. The loss underscores a pattern of defensive missteps that cost the maturation of a promising campaign.