TMJ Match Report
United States
4-3-3
14
Full-time
FIFA World Cup 2026
Round of 16
7 July 2026
Belgium
4-2-3-1
Venue: Seattle Stadium | Attendance: 66,925 | Referee: Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh

Statistical Canvas: USA vs Belgium World Cup 2026 Stats

The USA vs Belgium result and stats show why the scoreline ran away from the hosts. The United States had more possession, more passes and more final-third entries, but Belgium were cleaner in the final action. Belgium finished with 15 shots, seven shots on target and four goals, while the United States had seven shots and two on target.

General

USA vs Belgium World Cup 2026 Stats

Possession
55.9%
44.1%
Duels
109
110
Aerial Duels Won
50.0%
50.0%
Corners Awarded
3
5

Distribution

USA vs Belgium World Cup 2026 Stats

Passes
527
414
Passing Accuracy
87.1%
80.7%
Total Passes In The Final Third
139
97
Final Third Entries
66
46

Attack

USA vs Belgium World Cup 2026 Stats

Goals
1
4
Shots
7
15
Shots On Target
2
7
Key Passes
5
13

Defence

USA vs Belgium World Cup 2026 Stats

Tackles
20
22
Clearances
23
18
Interceptions
9
9
Recoveries
51
54

The dashboard makes Belgium’s win feel clinical rather than territorial. The United States had 55.9% possession, 527 passes, 139 final-third passes and 66 final-third entries. Belgium had less of the ball, but they turned seven shots on target into four goals and carried the sharper attacking profile.

United States 1-4 Belgium was a ruthless FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 result at Seattle Stadium, with Belgium turning a tight possession battle into a heavy knockout win. The United States had more of the ball and moved into the final third often, but Belgium carried the decisive edge in front of goal. Charles De Ketelaere was the standout, while Romelu Lukaku and Hans Vanaken gave Belgium extra punch from the bench.

USA vs Belgium Result: De Ketelaere Stars In 4-1 Knockout Win

USA 1-4 Belgium World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match result
Charles De Ketelaere inspired Belgium as they beat the United States 4-1 in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16.

Lineups And Match Events

USA | 3-5-2
M. Pochettino
24
M. Freese
4.5
16
A. Freeman
6.3
3
C. Richards
5.6
13
T. Ream
4.5
Sub out
2
S. Dest
4.6
Yellow card
8
W. McKennie
4.5
Sub out
4
T. Adams
5.6
Yellow cardAssist
17
M. Tillman
6.8
Sub out
5
A. Robinson
5.5
Sub out
10
C. Pulisic
5.4
Sub out
20
F. Balogun
5.7
Sub out
GoalGoalAssist
17
C. De Ketelaere
9.4
Sub out
14
D. Lukebakio
5.9
Sub out
Assist
23
N. Raskin
6.6
Sub out
Assist
10
L. Trossard
6.7
8
Y. Tielemans
7.2
Sub out
24
A. Onana
6.7
5
M. De Cuyper
6.8
4
B. Mechele
6.4
25
N. Ngoy
6.4
21
T. Castagne
6.8
1
T. Courtois
6.5
R. Garcia
Belgium | 4-2-3-1

Bench

United States Bench
GR

Giovanni Reyna

Sub in45’ 5.3

RP

Ricardo Pepi

Sub in71’ 6.0

SB

Sebastian Berhalter

Sub in58’ 5.9

MA

Max Arfsten

Sub in90’+1 5.7

HW

Haji Wright

Sub in90’+1 5.7

Unused: Matt Turner Goalkeeper #1, Auston Trusty Defender #6, Brenden Aaronson Striker #11, Miles Robinson Defender #12, Timothy Weah Striker #21, Mark McKenzie Defender #22, Joe Scally Defender #23, Chris Brady Goalkeeper #25, Alejandro Zendejas Striker #26.

Belgium Bench

Axel Witsel

89’ Sub in 6.3

AW

Romelu Lukaku

Goal66’ Sub in 7.6

RL

Jérémy Doku

66’ Sub in 6.6

JD

Hans Vanaken

AssistGoal20’ Sub in 8.0

HV

Alexis Saelemaekers

88’ Sub in 5.9

AS

Unused: Zeno Debast Defender #2, Arthur Theate Defender #3, Kevin De Bruyne Midfielder #7, Senne Lammens Goalkeeper #12, Mike Penders Goalkeeper #13, Thomas Meunier Defender #15, Koni De Winter Defender #16, Joaquin Seys Defender #18, Diego Moreira Midfielder #19, Matias Fernandez-Pardo Striker #26.

Player ratings (0–10) based on match data

Goal iconGoal
Sub in iconSub in
Own goal iconOwn goal
Sub out iconSub out
Yellow card iconYellow card
Injured iconInjured
Red card iconRed card
Suspended iconSuspended
2 yellow cards icon2 yellow cards
Assist iconAssist

The Opening Gambit: USA Had The Ball, Belgium Had The Blade

The United States did not lose this match because they were starved of possession. They had 55.9% of the ball, completed 527 passes and entered the final third 66 times. The structure gave them enough control to play forward, but it did not give them enough protection when Belgium broke into attacking rhythm.

Belgium’s 4-2-3-1 had less of the ball but more threat. De Ketelaere worked as the attacking reference, Trossard and Lukebakio stretched the sides, and Raskin helped connect the middle to the box. The Belgian attack did not need endless volume. It needed clean entries and sharper finishing.

By half-time, Belgium already led 2-1. That scoreline shaped the rest of the night. The United States had to chase, Belgium had space to punish, and the match began to tilt away from possession and toward execution.


The Catalyst: De Ketelaere Turned Belgium’s Threat Into A Rout

The decisive player was Charles De Ketelaere. His 9.4 rating matched the weight of his influence: goals, creation and constant presence around the United States back line. Belgium’s attack had several strong contributors, but De Ketelaere was the player who made the match feel impossible to contain.

The finishing numbers made the gap obvious. Belgium had 15 shots, seven on target and four goals. The United States had seven shots and two on target. That difference turned a game with fairly even possession pressure into a heavy knockout scoreline.

The Belgian bench also changed the temperature. Hans Vanaken made a major impact, Romelu Lukaku added another goal, and Jérémy Doku brought fresh running. Once Belgium had options from both the starting XI and the substitutes, the United States could not keep the damage contained.

“The United States had the passing map. Belgium had the finish line.”

THE MATCH JOURNAL

The Bitter End And Ripple Effects

The closing phase became a painful test for the hosts. The United States still found spells of possession, but the attacking edge was missing. Belgium, meanwhile, could attack with a freer mind, knowing every transition carried a chance to stretch the scoreline further.

Pochettino turned to Giovanni Reyna, Sebastian Berhalter, Ricardo Pepi, Max Arfsten and Haji Wright, but the substitutions could not repair the defensive gaps or the lack of shot quality. Belgium’s changes worked in the opposite direction. Lukaku, Vanaken, Doku, Witsel and Saelemaekers helped carry the performance beyond control and into dominance.

For Belgium, this was a statement knockout win built on ruthless finishing. For the United States, the exit will sting because the ball was there, the territory was there, but the penalty-box answers were not. For the wider tournament picture, follow TMJ’s World Cup 2026 results tracker and World Cup 2026 knockout bracket.

TMJ Verdict: Belgium Were Ruthless, USA Were Exposed

United States 1-4 Belgium was a match where possession did not protect the hosts. The United States had the ball, but Belgium had the better chances, the better finishing and the stronger attacking momentum.

De Ketelaere was the match’s defining figure, and Belgium’s bench gave the win extra force. The result was heavy, but the shot quality made it feel earned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of USA vs Belgium?

Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.


Who was the standout player in USA vs Belgium?

Charles De Ketelaere was the standout player for Belgium, finishing with a 9.4 match rating and decisive attacking influence.


Where was USA vs Belgium played?

USA vs Belgium was played at Seattle Stadium.


What were the main USA vs Belgium stats?

The United States had 55.9% possession, 527 passes, seven shots and two shots on target. Belgium had 44.1% possession, 414 passes, 15 shots and seven shots on target.


Did USA vs Belgium go to extra time?

No. Belgium won 4-1 in regulation time.

Fact-Check Notes

Last updated: 7 July 2026. This article was prepared from the supplied USA 1-4 Belgium result, scoreboard details, lineup and event list, bench list and team-stat graphics. Venue, attendance, referee, formations, goalscorer, card, substitution and statistical data are based on the supplied match information.

SHARE THIS STORY

By The Match Journal Editorial Team

Discover more from The Match Journal

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading