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Seattle. In the round of 16 match of the FIFA World Cup, Belgium performed brilliantly and entered the quarterfinals by defeating America 4-1. America’s World Cup campaign ended with this defeat. This is the fourth time in the last five World Cups that the American team could not cross the round of 16 hurdle.

Belgium played an aggressive game from the very beginning of the match played at the Seattle Stadium. Forward Folarin Balogun returned to the team after suspension and was given a warm welcome on the field, but the American team did not seem to be in rhythm from the beginning.

Belgium maintained constant pressure in the initial minutes of the match. Charles de Catelere gave Belgium the lead with the first goal, taking advantage of the opportunity created by Leandro Trossard’s attack after Timothy Castagne’s initial effort.

After conceding the first goal, America tried to make a comeback. After the hydration break, the team took an aggressive stance and Malik Tillman’s free kick hit the Belgian defensive wall and went into the goal, making the score 1-1.

The American team could not maintain its rhythm in the second half. Taking advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Mats Freeze, Hans Vanaken gave Belgium the lead again with a brilliant goal from long distance. After this, Charles de Ketelere scored his second goal making the score 3-1.

Taking advantage of another US defensive lapse in stoppage time, Romelu Lukaku sealed Belgium’s victory by scoring the fourth goal.

After the defeat, America’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino said that his team could not catch the rhythm of the match from the beginning. He admitted that Belgium played better and his team did not perform at its usual level. He said it was not America’s day and Belgium fully deserved the win. With this victory, Belgium confirmed its place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.