The United States' home World Cup ended on Monday in Seattle, where Belgium won 3-1 to send the host nation out in the round of 16. Belgium controlled much of the match and now advance to the quarterfinals to meet Spain.
How it unfolded
Charles De Ketelaere put Belgium ahead early and, after the United States equalized through Malik Tillman, restored the lead soon after, ESPN reported. Hans Vanaken added a third in the second half, and the two-goal cushion proved decisive as the American side could not find a way back, NBC News reported.
Balogun's muted return
Much of the pre-match attention had centered on the United States forward Folarin Balogun, who was available only because FIFA suspended the automatic ban he had picked up for an earlier red card, a reversal that came after President Donald Trump said he had phoned FIFA's president to ask for a review, Yahoo Sports reported. On the night, Balogun made little impact against a well-drilled Belgian defense, and the intervention that put him on the pitch did not change the result.
Out on home soil
For the United States, hosting the tournament had raised hopes of a long run, and the early exit will sting. The team had come through its opening knockout match but ran into a more experienced side that took its chances and defended its lead with control. Belgium, meanwhile, keep going: next up is Spain, who reached the last eight by beating Portugal, in a quarterfinal between two of the tournament's more accomplished squads.
