Belgium defeated the U.S. men’s national team 4-1 in a World Cup Round of 16 match in Seattle, eliminating the U.S. and advancing to the quarterfinals, Fox News reported.
Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring nine minutes into the match and scored again in the 39th minute, Fox News reported. Malik Tillman had tied the game in the 37th minute on a free kick that deflected off a Belgian defender and beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, according to Fox News.
U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese misplayed a 57th-minute sequence while trying to clear a through ball, allowing Hans Vanaken to score, Fox News reported. Romelu Lukaku added a stoppage-time goal to seal the win for Belgium, Fox News said.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino was shown kicking water bottles on the sideline after the first half, Fox News reported. Christian Pulisic left the match with an apparent injury and was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter, Fox News said.
Folarin Balogun was available after FIFA invoked Article 27 to suspend his red card but did not get a clear chance, and the U.S. could not find a way back into the match, Fox News reported. Belgium will face Spain in the quarterfinals, Fox News said.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
