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Belgium thump USA to reach quarter-finals and end co-hosts' World Cup dream

Belgium thump USA to reach quarter-finals and end co-hosts' World Cup dream
France 24 Tuesday 07 July 2026, 02:01 UTC By FRANCE 24 1 min read
Key Points

Charles De Ketalaere scored twice as Belgium thumped the US hosts 4-1 in their World Cup last-16 clash in Seattle. The buildup to the match was overshadowed by a row raging over US President Donald Trump's extraordinary intervention to earn a red-card reprieve for striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun, the US team's outstanding player at the World Cup so far, had been set to miss the game against Belgium after receiving a red card in the victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the previous round.

Charles De Ketalaere scored twice as Belgium thumped the US hosts 4-1 in their World Cup last-16 clash in Seattle. The buildup to the match was overshadowed by a row raging over US President Donald Trump's extraordinary intervention to earn a red-card reprieve for striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun, the US team's outstanding player at the World Cup so far, had been set to miss the game against Belgium after receiving a red card in the victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the previous round. But on Sunday FIFA said it was suspending the card, sparking a furore as Trump confirmed he had contacted its boss Gianni Infantino directly about the red card.
Belgium (LOCATION) USA (LOCATION) World Cup (EVENT) Charles De Ketalaere (PERSON) US (LOCATION) Seattle (LOCATION) Donald Trump (PERSON) Folarin Balogun (PERSON) Balogun (PERSON) the World Cup (EVENT) Bosnia-Herzegovina (LOCATION) FIFA (ORG) Trump (ORG) Gianni Infantino (PERSON)
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