Last Co-Host Eliminated: Belgium Crush USA 4-1 to End American World Cup Dream

Last Co-Host Eliminated: Belgium Crush USA 4-1 to End American World Cup Dream

Belgium wasted no time asserting their dominance, taking the lead in the 9th minute when Nicolas Raskin's pass across the face of goal was tapped in by De Ketelaere. The United States responded with renewed energy and found an equaliser in the 31st minute through Malik Tillman's deflected free-kick that left Thibaut Courtois helpless.

But the celebration barely lasted two minutes. Leandro Trossard delivered a pinpoint cross from the left wing, and De Ketelaere rose above the American defence to head home, restoring Belgium's lead in the 33rd minute.

The sequence highlighted the defensive frailties that had plagued the US throughout the match. The second half brought more misery for the hosts when goalkeeper Matt Freese made a critical error in the 57th minute.

Racing out of his penalty area to clear a long ball, Freese hesitated and allowed De Ketelaere to close him down, with the ball falling to Hans Vanaken who side-footed into an empty net to make it 3-1.

The defensive mistakes continued deep into stoppage time when Chris Richards lost possession to substitute Romelu Lukaku, who slotted home Belgium's fourth in the 93rd minute to seal a dominant victory.

The result means all three co-hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada have been eliminated in the Round of 16. Belgium's victory extends their remarkable run of reaching at least the quarter-final stage in three of their past four World Cups, and they will now face Spain in Los Angeles on Friday.

Charles De Ketelaere, who scored twice and contributed to another goal, was deservedly named Man of the Match by FIFA. For the United States, this defeat marks another early exit on home soil, falling short of the quarter-finals they had hoped to reach for the first time since 2002.