International Soccer
Disappointment to Disaster – USMNT Blown away by Belgium
The U.S. Men’s National Team suffered a crushing loss in the World Cup Round of 16 on Monday, falling to Belgium by a 4-1 scoreline. Malik Tillman’s deflected goal was the only source of offense for USMNT, who conceded twice to Charles De Ketelaere before an error from Matt Freese left an open net for Hans Vanaken to make it 3-1. Romelu Lukaku scored the dagger deep into stoppage time, defeating USMNT by a humiliating 4-1 scoreline.
After surviving a late scare against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the USMNT went into Monday night’s match looking to qualify for the quarterfinal round for the second time ever. To do so, the U.S. had to get past a familiar rival. After being eliminated in the same round of the tournament by Belgium in a chaotic match at the 2014 World Cup, USA faced Belgium in a friendly in March and were defeated 5-2. The first ever meeting of the two nations occurred at the 1930 World Cup, when the USMNT won by a decisive 3-0 scoreline. In the six matches since, Belgium have won all six contests.
Despite a slow start to the tournament, Belgium have not lost a match since March 20 of 2025.
Once again, the USMNT lineup had no shortage of local ties. Christian Pulisic made his 90th USMNT cap, and Wayne, Pa. native Matt Freese earned the start in net after earning his third World Cup victory in the previous round, setting a record among USMNT goalkeepers and earning his second clean sheet. Mark McKenzie returned to the bench after an injury, joining Brenden Aaronson and Auston Trusty as substitutes.
Controversy underscored much of the buildup to the match. After Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, FIFA announced the decision to delay or suspend Balogun’s one-match ban for a year. The Royal Belgian FA announced before the match that they would “continue to pursue the ongoing FIFA matter off the pitch”, threatening potential legal action. Despite this, FIFA did not change course, sticking with the decision to make Balogun eligible for the match.
After impressing with bright starts in the group stage, USMNT started the match on the back foot. After conceding a corner kick inside the first minute, the defensive shape seemed to drop deeper, pressing forward much less often than previously seen in the tournament. Belgium
cashed in on the momentum within the first ten minutes. An Alex Freeman defensive header went high up in the USMNT penalty area. Sergiño Dest and Chris Richards, both in the vicinity, appeared to both think that the other would go for the ball. Instead, it dropped for Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin, who settled the ball and fired across the face of goal where De Ketelaere tapped home at the back post. Raskin, awarded a shock start over Belgium legend Kevin De Bruyne, made the most of his opportunity early in the match.
Despite Belgium’s strong start, the visitors suffered a tough break in the 21 st minute. Midfielder Amadou Onana was substituted after twisting his knee. Hans Vanaken, a player a bit more attacking-minded than Onana, entered the match in his place.
USMNT were handed a lifeline just after the hydration break. Folarin Balogun was fouled outside the box. After scoring a brilliant free kick against Bosnia in the Round of 32, Malik Tsillman stood over the free kick. Tillman struck the ball high, curling to the right of Belgium
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. However, the ball deflected off Vanaken in the wall, flying into the opposite side of Courtois’ net to level the score. With the fortunate bounce, Tillman became the second player on record to score two direct free kicks in a single World Cup, also becoming the first USMNT player to score in consecutive World Cup knockout stage matches. More importantly, USMNT were level at 1-1 in the 31 st minute.
The joy of the Seattle crowd was short-lived. Only two minutes later, Leandro Trossard received the ball on the left wing from a long switch. After driving at Antonee Robinson, Trossard crossed to the back post where De Ketelaere was waiting. The 25-year-old Atalanta striker physically dominated Tim Ream, decisively winning the header and placing it in the top right corner, aaleaving Freese no chance. Belgium took a 2-1 lead over USMNT into halftime.
After a dominant group stage display, USMNT entered halftime shellshocked, fortunate to only be behind one goal and completely failing to match the energy of the crowd. Belgium attempted 11 shots in the first half, putting 5 of them on target. Before first half stoppage time, Tillman’s free kick was USMNT’s only attempt at goal. Balogun would get a close-range opportunity from a long throw-in early within first-half stoppage time, but was unable to put it on frame. When the halftime whistle blew, the USMNT had attempted 0 shots from the run of play. Pochettino made a bold move at halftime, replacing the struggling Dest with Giovanni Reyna, slightly changing the U.S. shape. This substitution seemed to bring a bit more control to the match, as the U.S. started the second half much brighter in possession, forcing Belgium to drop deep into their own half and clear their lines instead of building out from the back.
With the match now looking like it could go either way, a horror moment put the game out of reach. In the 57th minute, a long clearance from Belgium defender Brandon Mechele went over the head of Richards. Not sensing the danger, De Ketelaere ran past Richards, attempting to get on the end of the long ball. Freese came flying off his line, beating De Ketelaere to the ball before looking up to find a pass. However, Freese could not control the ball, which rolled away from him as he wound up to clear. Freese hesitated and attempted to take another touch, but De Ketelaere stayed active, dispossessing Freese from behind 35 yards from goal. With the net empty, Vanaken took a low curling shot around Freese. Ream dropped behind Freese to cover, but couldn’t sort out his feet in time. The ball deflected off Ream’s left foot and into the net, and the U.S. saw their deficit double in one of the most calamitous defensive blunders the World Cup has seen.
The comedy of errors left USMNT shellshocked, unable to continue the momentum they held early in the second half. Pulisic, who picked up a knock just before the goal, was replaced in the 59th minute by Sebastian Berhalter. Just minutes after they were searching for an equalizer, USMNT found themselves down two goals and without the player that has delivered in clutch moments in the past.
A disappointing match turned into humiliation late in second half stoppage time. Chris Richards took the ball toward the sideline, looking for an angle to clear the ball up field. Instead, it was blocked by Belgium defender Maxim de Cuyper. The loose ball found Romelu Lukaku, who finished past Freese to put Belgium ahead 4-1.
The blowout loss left many fans in a shock. In 2014, the U.S. pushed hard for a miracle upset over Belgium in the Round of 16, forcing extra time before falling by a 2-1 scoreline. In 2026, they faced Belgium after topping the group decisively, earning the privilege to rotate in their third group match, and keeping a clean sheet against Bosnia and Herzegovina despite being reduced to ten men early in the second half. USMNT entered the match as slight betting favorites to advance over Belgium. And yet, their effort came far, far short of the match in 2014, being defeated handily by a Belgium team that had yet to fully click in the 2026 World Cup.
With fans looking for answers, Mauricio Pochettino spoke to media after the match. “I think today we didn’t show our real quality like a team… I want to congratulate Belgium because they were good. Like I said before, it’s a very good team but I think we were not in our level… I think we started in a very poor way,” Pochettino explained post-match. “We were never with the flow of the game. Even when we scored, the 1-1 from Malik Tillman, the next action we conceded the goal that normally we cannot concede. I think when we analyze the game, I think it is true that today we were not the same team that during the tournament has showed quality. Wasn’t our day.”
Pochettino was then asked if he believed the fanfare around Balogun’s lifted suspension and President Donald Trump’s involvement and communication with FIFA President Gianni Infantino affected the team’s performance. “It’s difficult to make a comment. I think we were not good enough today. We don’t need to find another excuse… I think all teams can have one day sometimes when you don’t perform and nothing if right for you. Today was this type of day for us.”
Despite the USMNT’s historically bright start to the tournament, the resounding blowout loss made for a particularly brutal ending for one of the most anticipated moments in the Men’s National Team’s history. Many fans and pundits targeted 2026 as the perfect chance to make a deep run in the tournament years ago, due to home field advantage and the likes of Pulisic, McKennie, Adams, Richards, and Dest entering their primes at the same time. All five were mostly anonymous against Belgium, perhaps unexpectedly after their mostly positive performances in the group stage.
Maybe fatigue started to get to the USMNT. Pochettino’s system demands lots of running, and the tired start by USMNT could have just been the result of feeling their previous matches. Pulisic was once again hindered by injuries, continuing what he showed in 2022 as well as his previous club season at Milan. Pulisic failed to complete a 90-minute shift this World Cup, playing at least 65 minutes only once in the Round of 32. Perhaps Belgium were fueled by FIFA’s decision on Balogun, with the controversial lifting of the ban acting as bulletin board
material. But maybe the moment was just too big for the USMNT, with various players shrinking under pressure and failing to rise to the occasion. Either way, the strange performance ends an era for this set of players and perhaps even Pochettino as well. With high highs and a very low ending, it is to be determined how history will look back on the 2026 World Cup.
The USMNT will now turn their sights to the 2030 World Cup, which will be held in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Unlike in 2026, the U.S. will have to participate in Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers for this tournament. When asked about his future, Pochettino mentioned that he
will use time to “rest” as he and the federation come to a decision on the future.
The next FIFA international window is in late September. While no matches are scheduled yet, the USMNT will likely return to action with friendlies in this period.
