The USA who eats badly is out of the World Cup with a loss in the last 16 against Belgium | 2026 World Cup
The United States’ desire to red card Folarin Balogun may have opened a Pandora’s box – one designed specifically to contain the national team’s nightmares.
With the world on the brink of falling in love with this team, and tens of millions yearning for a reason to embrace the glory and pride that this game can provide, instead there were questions of fairness and propriety. The star striker, who made an honest, unintended mistake – and said and did everything he should – became the talk of the town. And a day later, on an otherwise beautiful Monday evening in the Pacific Northwest, the United States’ World Cup dream ended with a bang.
With a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the last 16, the US’s attempt to change the way the world views American football ended at the same time as the last three games of the World Cup. The question the group answered was – “Why not us?” – replaced by “What could have happened?” Or, perhaps, “What just happened?”
Because although there were moments of hope that passed, this performance of the US was dark compared to those that put the world on notice at the beginning of this competition. No American team has looked better in the World Cup. No US team before has scored as many goals as they did – goals of quality and skill. No US team before has defended this well, for so long.
However, it ended up being missed defensive assignments, a few giveaways and a moment of panic from goalkeeper Matt Freese that sealed the deal for the US.
“From the beginning, we didn’t connect with the game. Even when we scored, we allowed the next action. Congratulations to Belgium, they were better than us,” said American coach Mauricio Pochettino after the game. “We didn’t show what this team can show.”
Given the events of the past 36 hours, the US arrangement was not surprising. There was Balogun, who started at the top of the same XI who impressed against Paraguay and Bosnia and Herzegovina. His presence was always expected after his reinstatement led by Trump.
On this night, however, it was Belgian manager Rudi Garcia who provided the first surprise. The two stars of this team, Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku, are not in the starting XI even though both were fit. Nicolas Raskin came on as a central midfielder for the Red Devils and Dodi Lukébakio replaced Doku on the wing. Lukebakio shocked the US in a friendly between the sides in March, scoring twice in a 5-2 victory that raised serious questions about the US’s ability to face the world’s best teams.
Consider those questions answered.
The US cannot say there were no warning signs. In the eighth minute, Amadou Onana fended off several challenges and slipped the ball to Lukebakio. The winner pierced the US defenders, sending a delicious ball across the face of the post that Youri Tielemans beat. The danger had passed, but not for long.
Soon after, Belgium connected. This time, it was a long ball from behind Alex Freeman that Leandro Trossard controlled with one touch. His deflected pass was met by Raskin with his smart first touch. He flicked the ball down past a herd of US defenders, giving Charles De Ketelaere an easy finish. The finish was disappointing for the American fans who filled the stadium. For the second time in this World Cup, the high-flying US team faced a healthy challenge.
And as they did in the dead rubber group game against Turkey, they crumbled. Weston McKennie, usually reliable and safe at this World Cup, gave Belgium more chances with loose touches and stray passes. Christian Pulisic was often deprived of space in midfield. Chris Richards, the anchor back, almost gave De Ketelaere the ball at the door of the post. It took some tough defending to prevent Belgium’s second goal.
Malik Tillman’s equalizer came off the mark. Balogun was crucial, winning a free-kick on the edge of the hour with a brilliant catch. Just as he did against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, Tillman sent the ball rolling over the wall, receiving a gentle deflection from Hans Vanaken to the flat Thibaut Courtois. With this goal, Tillman became only the second player in World Cup history to score two free-kicks in one tournament.
That will be cold comfort to the US. Any hopes of Tillman’s strike starting a US war were quickly dashed. Once again, the Belgian threat came from the US right. Trossard found space behind Freeman and played a well-weighted ball onto the head of De Ketelaere, who made a good move between Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson.
Pochettino tried to start things up in the second half by bringing on Gio Reyna in place of Sergiño Dest. But the US got off to a good start and ended up being bogged down by some brutal goalkeeping mistakes. It is not clear why Freese came so far off his line to meet a long ball in the 57th minute, or why he hesitated to clear the ball after blocking it away from De Ketelaere. But the result was a clear chance for Vanaken, who rolled the ball into an open far net. Freese and Ream were left holding their heads in their hands.
It was like the last nail. It wasn’t like that. Romelu Lukaku, brought on in the 67th minute, finished off the US in extra time with a smart finish, and moments later the Americans were on their knees. Richards remained in the fetal position, his face in the grass, for several minutes before being comforted by his teammates.
It was a dreamland to explore reality. The US had gone from confident, to controversial, to surprised. The swashbuckling side was dimmed under the cool, shadowy clouds that usually greet each day here along Puget Sound. American fans will only hope that the skies open up again four years from now, bringing a team that has advanced on any given Monday.
