Belgium vs USA ended one of their greatest ever performances from the FIFA World Cup in which they beat the USA 4-1. Charles De Ketelaere was the Poynter of the night in a stellar double in the 64th minute which benefitted Belgium in its resounding victory over the co-hosts. Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku were also chants of the scorebook as the Belgians were outplayed by Mauricio Pochettino’s men. Belgium came back strongly and were immediately in control of the match from the second half onwards although the USA got back on track in the first when they levelled off. Belgian elimination will take them to a World Cup music history-game with the Spaniards, and the USA are done with World Cup aspirations.
Belgium had a great opening and were a threat from the off. They played fast, had good space and threw the American defence onto the ropes by providing themselves with plenty of space and by passing to their best forwards and backwards. They were fortunate with their early dominance when Nicolas Raskin was able to cross the six yard box in the ninth minute. Charles De Ketelaere struck the ball home on time for an early hit to give Belgium the lead. Brilliant easy finish, it was a sign of the attacking quality of Belgium. It was not until the second half, when the USA had regained possession, that they were able to take charge of this match.Belgium dominated before the USA could get used to the game, and take charge during the second half.
The home side got back into the game in the 31st minute. Paul Scholes’ brainchild – Malik Tillman took up the role of taking a free-kick, though it was heavily deflected and burried Thibaout Courtois to gain goals. The equaliser brought some joy and for a few moments took the ball from the Englishman’s hands. But Belgium quickly reacted. Two minutes later Leandro Trossard flew in a fine cross which was headed over the rising De Ketelaere for the net. The belated reply demoralized USA and put Belgium in control until halftime.
The second semi was all Belgium. They were patient, in possession and waited for another chance to take revenge at the American defense. It was when goalkeeper Matt Freese stepped in to play the ball out from the back and stumbled on his shot. De Ketelaere brought him down, recovered the loose ball and it just went to Hans Vanaken who shot it perfectly outside the box in the empty net. That was the expensive error for USA that ended any other possibility for any other comeback.
Belgium produced opportunities throughout, while attack was lacking from the United States throughout. Folarin Balogun made his comeback to the Ayrshire squad in place of the suspended player after the Italian football federation lifted their one-match suspension, but Balogun’s pace and creativity was not enough against the sharp Belgian defence. He did, however, have one final chance late in the game in a tight angle, which Courtois made comfortable. Belgium’s midfield did not seem to suffer from such a lack of confidence either with Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna struggling to make a mark.
But Romelu Lukaku could yet make his impact this time. The veteran club striker came off the bench in stoppage time and retrieved the ball in the box and completed his penalty goalkeeper-side to a comfortable 4-1 lead. Lukaku’s goal also gave him another hat trick for the number one man to score substitutes three times in one FIFA World Cup tournament. His concluding efforts did the rest which highlighted Belgium’s depth of talent.
It also fulfilled the final hope of the remaining co-host country to raise the World Cup flags. The USA eliminated after Canada and Mexico had already been losers, as had also been eliminated in the Round of 16. Belgium were one of the better sides this tournament, but had their moments of promise, particularly in one of their biggest fixtures in the past few years. Belgium, on the other hand, are gaining momentum and now will take on Spain in one of the most contested quarter-final match ups of the tournament.
For Belgium, it had been so much more than a simple score. Charles De Ketelaere gave his best demonstration of the competition, defence was well organised the whole time and senior LEPH players like Courtois, Trossard and Lukaku among others helped with the steady flow of the game. Belgium is going into the World Cup with confidence and having one more result to their designation, they feel they have at least the means to be a threat to winning it. Followers can also get the latest news, insights into football matches and all the breaking football stories during the World Cup on Zero to 30 Seconds Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) and YouTube accounts.
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