Final Score Summary
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | 1 | 0 | 1 | Eliminated |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 2 | 2 | 4 | Advances |
Venue: Seattle Stadium, Seattle · Round: Round of 16 · Attendance: approx. 66,925
Goal-by-Goal Match Timeline
-
9'GOAL – Belgium 1-0. Charles De Ketelaere gets on the end of a low ball across the box to give the Red Devils an early lead.Belgium
-
31'GOAL – USA 1-1. Malik Tillman's deflected free-kick loops in for the USA's first shot on target of the match, restoring parity out of nowhere.USA
-
33'GOAL – Belgium 2-1. Barely two minutes later, De Ketelaere completes his brace with a tidy far-post finish to hand Belgium back the lead.Belgium
-
57'GOAL – Belgium 3-1. Hans Vanaken pounces after a USA defensive mix-up at the back to extend the lead further.Belgium
-
90+3'GOAL – Belgium 4-1. Romelu Lukaku caps a dominant display in stoppage time, pouncing on Vanaken's determined pressing to seal the rout.Belgium
Team Stats: USA vs Belgium
Starting XI & Substitutes
USA — Starting XI
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| GK | |
| DF | |
| DF | |
| DF | |
| DF | |
| MF | |
| MF | |
| MF | |
| DF | |
| FW | |
| FW |
Substitutes used
| GK | |
| MF | |
| DF | |
| FW |
Belgium — Starting XI
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| GK | |
| DF | |
| DF | |
| DF | |
| DF | |
| MF | |
| MF | |
| FW | |
| MF | |
| FW | |
| FW |
Substitutes used (incl. goalscorers)
| DF | |
| MF | |
| DF | |
| MF |
Note: Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku, who both scored, are reflected in the goal timeline above based on the official match events.
Match Analysis: Where USA Fell Short
USA came into the knockout tie on the back of a group-stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but Belgium's front line proved far too sharp on the night. De Ketelaere's movement between the lines repeatedly pulled USA's back five out of position, and once Belgium doubled their advantage just before half-time, the co-hosts never looked capable of a full comeback.
Tillman's equalizer, USA's only shot on target of note in the first half, briefly gave the home crowd hope. But Belgium's response was almost immediate, and second-half substitutions from the bench, including Lukaku's late strike, underlined the gulf in squad depth between the two sides. With this loss, USA becomes the third World Cup 2026 co-host nation to exit at the Round of 16 stage.
For Belgium, the win extends a run of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for a third straight tournament, a testament to a squad still built around experienced figures like Courtois and Tielemans, complemented by an in-form young forward line.
What's Next: Belgium vs Spain in the Quarter-Finals
Belgium will face Spain in the quarter-finals in four days at Los Angeles Stadium, while the USMNT's 2026 World Cup campaign officially comes to an end.
FAQs: USA vs Belgium World Cup 2026
What was the final score of USA vs Belgium?
Belgium won 4-1 in the Round of 16 at Seattle Stadium on July 7, 2026, eliminating co-hosts USA from the tournament.
Who scored the goals for both teams?
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice for Belgium (9', 33'), with Hans Vanaken (57') and Romelu Lukaku (90+3') adding further goals. Malik Tillman scored USA's only goal in the 31st minute.
Why did USA lose despite having more possession?
USA held 57% possession but managed only 2 shots on target compared to Belgium's 7, reflecting a more clinical and efficient Belgian attack.
Who does Belgium face next?
Belgium advances to the quarter-finals to play Spain at Los Angeles Stadium.