The final host has left the party.
Belgium outclassed its opponents from the opening whistle, emphatically dispatching the United States with ease to reach the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A measure of Belgium’s dominance? The Americans first and only shot on target during open play came in the 82nd minute.
Few were talking about events on the pitch ahead of the match. U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to call FIFA boss Gianni Infantino regarding striker Folarin Balogun’s red card versus Bosnia and Herzegovina and subsequent one-game ban ignited a global firestorm.
Despite Belgium’s protests, Balogun was allowed to play. In the end, FIFA’s unprecedented decision motivated the visitors in ways few could’ve expected.
Here are the takeaways from Monday’s Round of 16 action.
The United States, and their suspended striker Balogun, had captivated a nation on their way to the Round of 16.
Although the Red Devils ranked eighth in the world, the feeling was this was a winnable match. Even without Balogun and down a man, they managed to add to their lead against Bosnia.
And then it all unraveled. Balogun being allowed to play did not rally the Americans but instead galvanized a Belgian side that few picked to make a deep run at this World Cup.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino watched as his team was picked apart by Charles De Ketelaere, Leondro Trossard and Timothy Castagne from minute one onward. A lifeline via Malik Tillman’s deflected free kick equalizer was thrown away two minutes later thanks to more abject defending.
Matt Freese’s catastrophic error to make it 3-1 Belgium was the cruel crescendo, and Romelu Lukaku’s fourth a final kick in the stomach. For all of the talk regarding this being the moment for the Americans to make a statement against major European opposition, we instead saw one of the worst performances by any team at this World Cup. Ready to meet the moment? Not even close.
Tip your cap to Belgium. It’ll provide problems for Spain in the next round with its organization and game breaking ability on the wings.
It isn’t pretty, but does it need to be?
That’s a question neutrals are asking themselves watching this version of Spain, the only team yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Manager Luis de la Fuente’s assessment of the stakes following the match, calling it a potential World Cup final, albeit in the Round of 16, suggested this was always going to be a cagey encounter with few big chances.
Substitute Mikel Merino’s silky finish just after 90 minutes had been played ensured Spain wouldn’t waste its best look on goal all day. A glancing Bernardo Silva header over the bar a few moments later in the dying embers of the match would be Portugal’s best opportunity. That alone was telling.
Unbeaten in 15 matches, Spain has been a well-oiled machine defensively and show little signs of faltering. Its lack of prowess in front of goal, as shown early on against Cabo Verde, may just be a comical feature of a really good side that could be lifting the trophy at New York New Jersey Stadium in a couple of weeks thanks to a rock-solid spine led by Unai Simon, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri and Rodri.
After a few fairytale days in Toronto, reality hit Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates hard in Texas.
The loss of fullback Nuno Mendes to injury in the 56th minute may have been the beginning of the end, as the defender had done well to clamp up Lamine Yamal. But Portugal was bereft of ideas going forward. Benching Rafael Leao after his virtuoso performance against Croatia is one of many decisions made by departing manager Roberto Martinez that will be hyper analyzed in the aftermath of this disappointing exit.
The biggest one, obviously, was the decision to keep starting Ronaldo. Against stronger opposition like Spain, the 41-year-old striker found space and chances harder to come by. It’s also fair to say the top talent around him didn’t have great tournaments themselves. Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves performed below the standards they set this season.
That unfortunate combination is why Portugal and its icon are going home.
“CR7” walks off the World Cup stage for the final time.
“Mikel Merino never lets you down. He’s a sure thing. He won us the Euros. He’s a huge player — one of the best in the world in his position. We’re lucky to have players on the bench who would be starters in any other national team. The important thing is the attitude when they come on, and in the day to day. All I ask is for people to be fair in their recognition. Mikel Merino is a player with exceptional performance, he’s a player who is always where he needs to be.”
They say defence wins championships. This is also the first time Spain is in the World Cup quarterfinals since 2010, when it won it all.
1. Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium): The former Belgian boy wonder delivered at the perfect time. The 25-year-old forward’s tantalizing ability secured him a move to Italian giants AC Milan four years ago but it’s been stop-start since then. Questions regarding workrate and intensity have plagued CDK but not today. A two-goal, one-assist, pressing masterclass has put Belgium in the last eight.
2. Mikel Merino (Spain): What an impact by a player that’s reinvented himself from midfielder into bagsman with a knack for huge, late goals. A foot injury suffered in January nearly derailed the Arsenal man’s World Cup dream. Surely he visualised a moment like today’s winner during the hard yards of rehab.
3. Leandro Trossard (Belgium): He’s still got it. Trossard showed why manager Rudi Garcia is right to trust him with such a fluid role, as the 31-year-old drifted into space and terrorized opposing defenders at will.