USA vs. Belgium Live World Cup 2026 Updates, Scores and Highlights

Painful trolling from Red Devils

😔💔

Familiar end of the road for USMNT

Never an easy sight

For the second time in the last four World Cups, Belgium has eliminated the United States. It was far less dramatic compared to the memorable match from 2014. Belgium was clinical, cohesive, and compact in an all-around fantastic performance. They showed the class that has made them a perennial top ten team over the past decade.

After a promising start to the half, the United States capitulated in the 57th minute while trying to defend a ball over the top from centerback Brandon Mechele. Matt Freese looked to be in control, ready to clear the ball after using his chest to control it outside the box. The pressure from Charles De Ketelaere affected him, causing the goalkeeper to hesitate in a precarious position. De Ketelaere would poke the ball away, giving Hans Vanaken a golden opportunity to score. Another self-inflicted mistake from the United States would lead to another devastating Belgian goal. 

To make matters worse, Christian Pulisic would come off injured after hurting his foot when his attempted shot from near the edge of the box struck Youri Tielemans' heel. It was the latest disappointment for the star playmaker, who has endured numerous injuries throughout his career. That left the United States scrambling for solutions. They had only attempted four shots in 75 minutes in what was a shockingly flat performance.

Belgium remained largely comfortable sitting deep and defending, receiving excellent protection from the midfield tandem of Vanaken and Nicolas Raskin. They only allowed two notable chances in the second half. Substitute Sebastian Berhalter provided some spark with a left-footed blast that just missed the target. Folarin Balogun beat Mechele to get behind Belgium's defense. As Thibaut Courtois has done countless times over his career, he cleaned up a potential defensive error with a strong save at his near post.

Romelu Lukaku would put the finishing touches on an emphatic victory. After pressuring Chris Richards into a mistake with Vanaken's support, Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer would place his shot into the far corner to secure the Red Devils' place in the quarterfinals. They will face Spain on Friday in Los Angeles for what will be a proper European heavyweight matchup.

Insult to injury for the USA

Nearly got the USA back into the game

His night is over at 60 minutes

Ugly, ugly goal to concede at this stage

Tillman's nutmeg 🤌

After getting off to slow starts in most of their games, Belgium came out with the high intensity that has been missing. It was completely unexpected after Rudi Garcia decided to surprisingly bench Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku. Instead of playing more defensively against a more talented United States team, they nearly scored in the second minute.

Fulham's Timothy Castagne unleashed a wicked shot from 30 yards out that required Matt Freese to make a terrific save. After Youri Tielemans wasted a tremendous goal-scoring opportunity from Castagne's low cross on the overlap, Belgium would score in the eighth minute. A lapse in concentration from the United States in the box allowed Nicolas Raskin to pounce on an awkward clearance from Alex Freeman. The midfielder's effort to regain possession was rewarded with a pinpoint ball to Charles De Ketelaere for an easy finish.

The United States would eventually respond after a disappointing first 30 minutes. Malik Tillman rose to the occasion again, scoring a free kick in two consecutive matches. The euphoria from the stunning goal was short-lived, as Belgium would retake the lead two minutes later. Leandro Trossard beat Sergino Dest to create space to put in a cross near the byline. It couldn't have been more accurate in connecting with De Ketelaere, who leaped over Tim Ream to score a first-half brace. Belgium goes into the half deservingly ahead in what has been their best performance so far at the World Cup.

Taking it out on the water bottles

Less than two minutes after equalizer

Two in two games for Malik

Early goal stuns Seattle

Castagne took his shot early and tested the GK

Monday night football in Seattle - Here. We. Go.

Balogun starts for full-strength USMNT

Roberto Martinez resigns after Round of 16 exit

Noisy neighbors silenced

No one has scored on Spain yet

An all-time great calling it wraps

Tweet went out at halftime... what did he know?

It was a cagey affair in Dallas, but Spain secured a late 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16.

Mikel Merino's goal in second half stoppage time, one assisted by fellow substitute Ferran Torres, made the difference. Celebrations ensued for Spain, while Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo had to face the reality of an earlier-than-expected exit. What could have been for Portugal, whose poor group stage play saw them finish second in Group K and suffer a difficult knockout round path.

There was relatively little separating the two sides. Spain had the better of the first half, though not by a wide margin. Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal both had looks in the opening period, but the finishes went wanting. Portugal, for their part, had little going for them to start the game outside of a deflected shot that bounced off the woodwork. 

Really, it was Portugal's aggressive, man-oriented defensive approach that defined much of the match. Rather than try to make Spain chase the game, Roberto Martinez's team contended themselves with playing the antagonist role. Without much space to pick out clever line-breaking passes, Spain's attack was far more muted than it was in the Round of 32 against Austria. Even Nuno Mendes' injury exit inside the first 10 minutes of the second half didn't dash Portugal's solidity.

But Spain's attacking quality and depth proved to be too much to stop. Now through the quarterfinals, they'll take on the winner of the United States' matchup with Belgium on June 10th.

His World Cup is over

SPAIN LEAD LATE

How is no one in the area??

Could be big turning point, Nelson Semedo on to mark Lamine Yamal

In perhaps the banner game of the Round of 16, the first half was a tight affair between Portugal and Spain.

Unsurprisingly, Spain held most of the possession. By using the ball to pull apart their Iberian rivals, Luis de la Fuente's team had a handful of dangerous moments. Striker Mikel Oyarzabal enjoyed a quality look on goal, nearly finishing off a clever move worked by Alex Baena and Dani Olmo. Later, Lamine Yamal's curling effort was saved by Diogo Costa.

Though Spain have the edge on shots and expected goals, Portugal have put together a physical, man-oriented defensive display that's given them a foothold in the match. Unlike Austria, Spain's Round of 32 opponent, Portugal have taken care to limit the space and time their opponents have in midfield. The same goes for Nuno Mendes' approach to marking Yamal. Portugal want to be a nuisance, and they've delivered. Who will go on to break the deadlock?

Pedro Porro with a crucial defensive touch mid-flight

Unai Simón flying all over the place

Generational, literally

Diogo Costa put to work early

Oyarzabal drags it wide

Sit back and drink it in

Star-studded teams right here

Adidas unveils new ball for the big one

President didn't tell FIFA to suspend striker's ban but questions referee

Absolute heavyweights go head-to-head

Things getting heavy in World Cup