Charles De Ketelaere starred with two goals and an assist as Belgium eased into the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals with a convincing 4-1 victory over the United States at Seattle Stadium.

The win sends the Red Devils into the last eight for the first time since 2018 after they failed to progress beyond the group stage at the 2022 tournament. Belgium will now face Spain in a blockbuster quarter-final in Los Angeles.

Charles De Ketelaere inspires Belgium to dominant win

Belgium made a bright start and broke the deadlock inside nine minutes. Nicolas Raskin’s low cross found De Ketelaere unmarked at the back post, with the Atalanta forward applying a simple finish to cap an impressive move.

The Red Devils controlled possession throughout the opening half, limiting the United States to few attacking opportunities while creating several chances through their fluid movement in the final third.

Despite struggling to impose themselves, the Americans found an equaliser against the run of play when Malik Tillman’s free-kick took a heavy deflection and wrong-footed the goalkeeper for their first shot of the match.

Belgium’s response was immediate.

Just two minutes later, De Ketelaere restored the lead, escaping his marker before guiding a looping header beyond Tim Ream and into the net to complete his brace before the interval.

Belgium finish strongly to book Spain quarter-final

Belgium remained in control after half-time and extended their advantage through Hans Vanaken after De Ketelaere capitalised on Matt Freese being caught out of position, dispossessing the goalkeeper before squaring for his teammate to finish into an empty net.

With a comfortable lead, Belgium continued to dictate the tempo while restricting the United States to limited opportunities.

Romelu Lukaku added a fourth goal in stoppage time after Vanaken won possession high up the pitch, allowing Belgium’s all-time leading scorer to finish clinically and complete an emphatic victory.

Belgium finished with an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.01 compared to the United States’ 0.63, reflecting their dominance throughout the contest.

The result sets up a quarter-final meeting with Spain in Los Angeles, while the United States bow out in the Round of 16 after an encouraging home World Cup campaign.