USA v Belgium · OurXI

★ The storyline

USA bow out

And there it ends. USA fall to Belgium, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.

TalismanDeveloping

Belgium put USA to the sword

Belgium 4, USA 1. A statement in the last 16 — they didn't just win, they sent a message. The kind of result that makes the rest of the field sit up.

WildcardDeveloping

USA bow out

And there it ends. USA fall to Belgium 4–1 in the last 16, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.

TalismanDeveloping

Belgium march on

Belgium are through. They saw off USA 4–1 in the last 16, and a family that's followed them all summer dares to look a little further up the bracket. On to the quarter-finals.

ComebackDeveloping

Belgium march on through the last 16

The run is real. Belgium are through the last 16, and a family that has followed them all summer is starting to believe. One more, and then we talk seriously.

TalismanDeveloping

USA eye Seattle redemption against Belgium's Round of 16 curse

The Americans arrive at Lumen Field riding momentum after dismantling Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening knockout tie. They face a stern test in Belgium, a side that has dominated this fixture comprehensively—six straight wins including a brutal 5-2 friendly thrashing just months before the tournament. This is the contest the hosts must navigate to keep their trophy hopes alive, but the weight of recent history leans heavily against them.

USMNT squadBelgian attack

Source: telecomasia.net

Why it matters

Ours are out — USA in the round of 16. Win or go home.

Who to watch

★ Ours · Talisman

Christian Pulisic

USA

The star the whole American project orbits around — if the USA are to make noise, it runs through him.

Talisman

Kevin De Bruyne

Belgium

The creative heartbeat Belgium will lean on to make their attacking edge count.

Developing

USA are through to the last 32

USA are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

Developing

Belgium are through to the last 32

Belgium are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

Developing

Belgium bow out

And there it ends. Belgium fall to Spain, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.

Developing

Belgium bow out

And there it ends. Belgium fall to Spain 2–1 in the quarter-finals, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.