Second-half substitute Romelu Lukaku added Belgium’s final goal in the third minute of stoppage time. The Red Devils advanced to meet Spain at Inglewood, California, on Friday.<\/p>\n
Malik Tillman tied the score 1-1 midway through the first half with his second free kick goal of the tournament, via a large deflection, but the Americans conceded just 61 seconds after the ensuing kickoff. US coach Mauricio Pochettino showed his frustration by kicking a rack in front of the bench, sending four water bottles flying.<\/p>\n
American star Christian Pulisic could only watch from the bench after injuring his right foot when he hit a boot of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans with a 52nd-minute shot attempt. Pulisic was replaced seven minutes later.<\/p>\n
![\"FIFA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-right-awards-president-donal-UA5WXLG4YFFIDDOYATKMQU2H3Y.jpg\")
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, awards President Donald Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, in December 2025. (Source: Associated Press)<\/p>\n
After winning three games in a World Cup for the first time in this expanded 48-nation tournament, USA failed in its quest to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 and lost to Belgium for the seventh straight time since a victory at the initial tournament in 1930. <\/p>\n
The Americans have dropped 11 of their last 12 games against European opponents, winning only their round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.<\/p>\n
A heralded generation led by Pulisic, Westin McKennie and Tyler Adams only partially accomplished their goal of lifting football\u2019s stature closer to that of the NFL, MLB and the NBA.<\/p>\n
De Ketelaere put Belgium ahead in the eighth minute, the first time in this year\u2019s World Cup the USA conceded first.<\/p>\n
Tillman\u2019s goal in the 31st minute energised a largely red-white-and-blue crowd of 66,925 at Lumen Field, but De Ketelaere dampened that and assisted Hans Vanaken\u2019s 57th-minute goal after Freese lost control of the ball in front of his net.<\/p>\n
All six CONCACAF nations have now been eliminated, with the co-hosts USA, Mexico and Canada all falling in the round of 16. All quarterfinalists will all come from Europe, South America and Africa, reinforcing the weakness of CONCACAF and Asia.<\/p>\n
Belgium, which left stars J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku and Kevin DeBruyne on the bench, pressed from the start and exposed a defence that was regarded as the Americans\u2019 weak spot.<\/p>\n