In pictures: USA versus Belgium in the World Cup
Here's the latest
• Belgium has the lead, 2-1: It’s the biggest game in US soccer history as the USA takes on Belgium in the World Cup’s Round of 16 in Seattle. It’s 2-1 to Belgium in the second half after two early goals from Charles De Ketelaere.
• Balogun’s red card controversy: Folarin Balogun is in the starting lineup for the USA after FIFA cleared the US striker to play against Belgium today. He was facing an automatic one-match suspension following a red card during a Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, which the USA won 2-0.
• Trump’s role under scrutiny: President Donald Trump said today that he personally asked FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the decision on Balogun — a remarkable intervention that sparked controversy.
• Spain in quarterfinals: Tonight’s winner will advance to the quarterfinals and face Spain, who beat Portugal earlier today.
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The second half is underway
Here we go: 45 minutes to save a historic World Cup campaign for the USA.
The ball is kicked and we are back in Seattle at Lumen Field.
One major substitution for the US – Gio Reyna is on for Sergiño Dest.
Belgium still has 3 bona fide stars to deploy
The ninth best team in the world, according to FIFA, have a fearful trio yet to see the pitch tonight.
Midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne, attacking midfielder Jérémy Doku and hard-to-handle Romelu Lukaku would represent a problem for a US team that has struggled to cope with the Belgians on the field thus far.
But Belgium are up 2-1 and will likely feel great about the team’s defensive clinic in the first half. No real reason to bring in proven offensive mights.
Unless of course you have a point to prove.
And want to step on the throat of an opponent against whom you may have an axe to grind,
Cristiano Ronaldo told CNN in 2025 that this World Cup will "definitely" be his last
Let’s flash back to earlier today when Spain beat Portugal, sending home one of the legends of the game.
Earlier this year, Portugal superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo said the 2026 FIFA World Cup will “definitely’ be his last.
“I will be 41 years old and I think will be the moment in the big competition,” Ronaldo told CNN’s Becky Anderson in a 2025 interview at the Tourise Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As for when he’ll retire from the sport for good, Ronaldo said, “I’m enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon because I gave everything for football,” the all-time leading goalscorer in international soccer history.
Belgian's stout defense is frustrating the USA
Full credit to Belgium’s defensive discipline.
Watching the shape ebb and flow is a sight to behold if you appreciate defense. The US is frustrated, as are many in the majority pro-American crowd.
Mauricio Pochettino’s high-pressing attack isn’t penetrating like it has so far in this tournament.
A question that is going to frustrate US fans: Where is Christian Pulisic?
The forward has patrolled the left side but hasn’t made an impact on this game. Pochettino will have to get him more involved for the US to start opening up the opposing backline.
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Halftime: Belgium 2, USA 1
Belgium has a one-goal lead at the half and it’s well deserved.
The USA looks totally different than the team that played the first four games of this tournament now that they’ve run into good, if not elite, competition. The Belgians have done well to take out the USA’s pressing defense and the US has not been able to attack to the extent that it would like.
But the biggest problem so far has been the leaky American defense, which has been a problem before this tournament and – at times – during it. On the two goals, American defenders have been beaten to key balls and looked unsure of themselves in the crucial moment.
It could be argued that the Americans can count themselves lucky to only be down by one goal at the break.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino will need to get his team back to their confident best at the break.
Balogun's first scoring opportunity in the box soars over the goal
USA’s goalscorer Malik Tillman took a long throw in from near the corner flag that fell to American striker Folarin Balogun right at the mouth of the goal.
Balogun, typically lethal with his first touch from that range, got under the ball and lifted a rocket over the crossbar and out of bounds.
We’re minutes from halftime in Seattle.
The noise explosion in Seattle was deafening -- until it wasn't
The gentle hush before Tillman struck was mouse quiet. The sound that followed made it hard to hear one’s own thoughts.
Those lucky to be at Lumen Field welcomed the acute sound. Until Belgium “quietly” struck back.
The crowd here is sorta … emotionally confused.
Goal Belgium! 2-1
Unbelievably, Belgium has retaken the lead just seconds after the US equalized. It’s 2-1 to the Belgians.
About a minute after the USA had tied the game on Malik Tillman’s free kick, Leandro Trossard used some fancy footwork to charge toward the touchline and sent in a cross. Charles De Ketelaere rose above the US defense and headed the ball into an open net, with US captain Tim Ream well and truly beaten at the far post.
It’s an absolute gut punch – the crowd in Seattle was back into the game and the USA was starting to find its footing in the game, and the Americans are immediately set back again.
USMNT capitalized on its first good opportunity!
Folarin Balogun earned the USMNT its first promising opportunity of the game after drawing a foul just outside the 18-yard box.
Belgium set up a wall of defenders as Malik Tillman, who scored from a similar position against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32, lined up to take the kick.
And once again, Tillman found paydirt! This time his dipping shot glanced off a defender’s head to put Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois on the wrong foot as the ball sailed right past him and into the net.
Though the US only enjoyed their goal for about a minute before Belgium retook the advantage.
Goal USA! 1-1
It’s tied up! Malik Tillman scores on a free kick!
FIFA leader Infantino sitting with heads of Belgium, US soccer
Despite statements from the Royal Belgian Football Association condemning FIFA’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension, Pascale Van Damme, the president of the RBFA was seen sitting next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the match.
Also in the suite: Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the United States Soccer Federation, who were the beneficiaries of FIFA’s suspension of the suspension.
First half hydration break arrives as USMNT finding its footing
The first half hydration break came in the 24th minute as the American team seems to finally be getting their feet under them after an early Belgian onslaught.
The USA is finding some sustained possession and beginning to ask some questions of the Belgian defense in the final third of the field.
The partisan crowd is also settling into the rhythm of the game after the early stunner silenced the US supporters in Seattle.
Boos roared down as the break coincided with a foul judged to have gone against Sergiño Dest.
US fans trying to keep the vibes going after deflating opening goal
The Belgium opener sucked the energy out of the stadium but full credit to the European supporters who erupted in three distinct sections of Lumen Field.
The Americans countered with the standby “U-S-A!” chant that’s always there to lean on — in good times and bad.
USA looking aimless in the early minutes
After starting under an avalanche of Belgian momentum, the USA looks lost on the pitch.
USA’s rising stars, who played with such confidence in the team’s first four matches, are looking at each other and waiting to see who will step up against the squad’s first truly elite opponent.
Goal Belgium! 1-0
It’s 1-0 to the Belgians after some shambolic defending from the USA!
It’s the first time that the USA has given up the first goal in this tournament and it’s the result of some truly terrible defending as the US looks very unsure in its own box.
A cross into the box is blocked and headed up into the air, and no one from the USA claims it. Instead, it’s claimed by Nicolas Raskin, who sends a cross into the box that the US’ leaky defense can’t deal with.
It’s easily turned in by Charles De Ketelaere and the Belgians are in front after nine minutes.
Let there be smoke and fire
The crowd is totally amped after the four jet flyover and fireworks display ahead of the opening kick.
The burnt smell of smoke still lingers.
It’s a truly intense atmosphere here at Lumen Field.
Balogun starts while Belgium sits Kevin De Bruyne
As expected, US super striker Folarin Balogun starts up front for an unchanged side that faced Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the Belgium team has elected to save superstar talents Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku, presumably for later in the match.
Belgium:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Maxim De Cuyper, Koni De Winter, Thomas Mechele, Timothy Castagne
Midfielders: Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans (captain)
Forwards: Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Dodi Lukébakio
United States:
Goalkeeper: Matt Freese
Defenders: Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream (captain), Antonee Robinson, Alex Freeman
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman
Forwards: Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
An early moment of worry for the USA
The USA is immediately put under pressure by Belgium as US goalkeeper Matt Freese is forced into the best save he’s made all tournament.
Timothy Castagne’s blast from outside the box requires Freese to fly, making a diving stop with his hand to force the ball out for a corner kick.
A quick sign of intent from the Red Devils and proof that the US isn’t going to have an easy time today.
The match kicks off!
We are underway!
The US are rocking the deep navy stars with chrome accented kits while Belgium is going with the pink and light blue away, which honors Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte.
