De Ketelaere double puts Belgium through
Published: 07 July 2026, 3:45:35
Collected Photo
Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere scored twice to take his country into the World Cup quarter-finals, handing co-hosts United States a 4-1 thrashing in their round-of-16 tie on Monday, despite the controversial inclusion of previously suspended Folarin Balogun.
• De Ketelaere poached two first-half goals, in the ninth and 33rd minutes, the second coming 61 seconds after the US equalised.
• Malik Tillman’s deflected free kick brought the home side level in the 31st minute.
• A horror error from goalkeeper Matt Freese handed Belgium their third goal, scored by substitute Hans Vanaken in the 57th minute.
• Romelu Lukaku added the fourth in stoppage time to complete an emphatic victory.
• Striker Balogun, who had his red card ban lifted ahead of the game, played almost the entire match but only had one threatening effort on goal.
• The US’s elimination means all three co-hosts are out of the tournament, after Canada and Mexico also lost in the last-16.
