Weston McKennie (C) and his American teammates react after Belgium scored a fourth goal in a 2026 World Cup Round of 16 loss Monday in Seattle. Photo by Christopher Torres/EPA
July 6 (UPI) -- Belgians blazed through tackles, overwhelmed with their technique and punished the Americans for bountiful brutal blunders, dominating in the World Cup's Round of 16 on Monday in Seattle.
Forward Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the 4-1 triumph. The Belgians held a 15-7 shot advantage on the Americans, who failed in their quest to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
"Everyone saw, from the beginning, we didn't connect with the game," United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said on the Fox broadcast.
The No. 8 Belgians advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will meet third-ranked Spain on Friday in Inglewood, Calif.
