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Belgium End US World Cup Dreams with 4-1 Rout Amid Balogun Row

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
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Belgium End US World Cup Dreams with 4-1 Rout Amid Balogun Row

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)

The United States' World Cup dreams came to a crashing halt in the last 16 against Belgium on Monday as Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in a 4-1 win overshadowed by FIFA's controversial decision to suspend US forward Folarin Balogun's ban.

Balogan was permitted to play, despite receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, after US President Donald Trump's unprecedented intervention but he barely had an impact on the pitch.

The 25-year-old forward did win the free kick which led to a first-half equalizer, though Belgium's Nicolas Raskin said the perceived injustice had actually motivated Balogun's opponents.

"I think there was always justice somewhere in life and the fact that something ‌can happen like ‌that ... but we don't think that was fair," Raskin said.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino ‌said ⁠the row had ⁠not affected his team and attributed their poor performance to an off-day against a top side.

"We were not good enough today, we don't need to find another excuse ... I think it wasn't a situation that affects us," he told reporters.

US DEFEAT ENDS CO-HOSTS' INVOLVEMENT

De Ketelaere gave Belgium the lead in the ninth minute with a simple tap-in, taking full advantage of a nervous start by the US to quickly deflate the partisan crowd.

Malik Tillman's deflected free kick levelled the game in the 31st minute, but De Ketelaere restored Belgium's lead almost immediately with a ⁠back-post header.

The US improved after the break until a calamitous error from goalkeeper ‌Matt Freese allowed substitute Hans Vanaken to score in the 57th ‌minute.

Romelu Lukaku then added a fourth in added time to send US fans streaming for the exits and Belgium ‌into the quarter-finals for the third time in the last four World Cups. They will play European ‌champions Spain in Los Angeles on Friday.

The US defeat means all three co-hosts are out of the tournament, after Canada and Mexico lost their last-16 games.

"In the moments that we were doing well (in the tournament), we felt amazing," US midfielder Tyler Adams said.

"And then obviously, an opportunity like today, we didn't grasp it – and it's gonna sting."

BALOGUN LACKS IMPACT FOR ‌US

The US struggled with Belgium's intensity from the start and, with the crowd still going through their first chant of "U-S-A!", Timothy Castagne forced Freese into ⁠a fingertip save.

Youri Tielemans ⁠fluffed an early chance but the US did not learn their lesson and De Ketelaere tapped home Raskin's cross after the hosts failed to clear their lines.

Belgium's momentum was stalled by Amadou Onana's early injury, which coach Rudi Garcia said may end the midfielder's tournament.

The hydration break came at a good time for the US and they got a slice of luck with Tillman's equalizer, but swiftly conceded another cheap goal to cede the initiative once more.

Any hopes of a comeback were then shattered when Freese dawdled on the ball out of his goal and gave Vanaken an open goal, before Lukaku bagged his seventh career World Cup goal and 93rd for Belgium late on, 12 years after he scored against the US in another last-16 victory.

Despite their exit, Pochettino said the future was bright for the US squad and the Argentinian coach also suggested he wanted to continue.

"I think now ... it's (time to) rest a little bit, to think, to have conversations, and then see what the decision is from the federation and from us," he added. "But I am so happy."

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Spain ‘Favorites' Says Deschamps Ahead of World Cup Semi-Final Showdown

France’s national team head coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
France’s national team head coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
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Spain ‘Favorites' Says Deschamps Ahead of World Cup Semi-Final Showdown

France’s national team head coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
France’s national team head coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. (EPA)

France coach Didier Deschamps insisted he still sees Spain as World Cup favorites on Monday ahead of Les Bleus' blockbuster semi-final against the European champions.

France take on Spain at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday in a match widely seen as a collision of the best two teams in the tournament.

While Deschamps' side have lit up the World Cup with a string of scintillating performances, Spain's campaign has built momentum gradually following a shock 0-0 draw against minnows Cape Verde in their opening game.

Deschamps, though, maintains that France -- beaten by Spain in their last two meetings -- will be the underdog on Tuesday.

"Forget about the first game against Cape Verde," Deschamps said of Spain's campaign. "Ever since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favorites.

"I don't want to add extra pressure to (Spain coach) Luis (De la Fuente) and their team -- he knows very well that people are expecting great things of Spain.

"But Spain can attack well, and they can defend very well. They've only conceded one goal in the last six or seven matches."

Spain coach De la Fuente meanwhile smiled when asked for his response to Deschamps' comments at an eve-of-game press conference.

"Since the beginning, I've always said that the fact that people say we're favorites or not doesn't mean anything," De la Fuente told reporters. "It doesn't. It's not decisive."

"We are two great national teams facing each other, just as there are two great national teams facing each other in the other semi-final," De la Fuente added, stressing that his team was comfortable living with the pressure to succeed.

"Regardless of whether we're favorites or not, it doesn't mean create additional pressure," he said. "We have that pressure anyway. We want to do well for our country."

Deschamps meanwhile believes Tuesday's game has all the makings of a classic.

"With the quality of the two teams offensively, I think we could think that is going to be a spectacular game," he said.

Deschamps is also not overly concerned by the threat posed by Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who scored in La Roja's victories over France in the European Championship semi-final in 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last year.

"We know the strength of the opposing team. We have our own strengths," Deschamps said.

"Have I studied Yamal and his assets? Yes, he's one of the players that can really make a difference on the pitch.

"And all opponents should try to limit the strength of the other team, but we have many solutions.

"When it comes to a one-on-ones it could be tough. But having a one-on-one against some of my players is not an easy task either."

Deschamps confirmed that France captain Kylian Mbappe, who left the quarter-final win over Morocco late in the second half after taking a knock, was "100 percent" fit for the semi-final.

Sports

Norway Turn World Cup Heartbreak into Celebration as Huge Crowds Pack Capital

Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)
Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)
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Norway Turn World Cup Heartbreak into Celebration as Huge Crowds Pack Capital

Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)
Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)

More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital Oslo on Monday to give their football team a heroes' welcome, turning the heartbreak of their World Cup exit into a massive national celebration.

A 2-1 extra-time defeat by England on Saturday brought Norway's historic run to an end in the quarter-finals, shattering the Nordics' dreams of a place in the last four. However, it did not stop the country celebrating their heroes.

Massive crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace ‌early on Monday ‌afternoon, with an unofficial turnout estimated at more than 100,000 ‌people.

The ⁠Norway squad touched ⁠down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing their homecoming parade in the capital.

The line of supporters quickly packed the palace square before stretching far down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the squad first attended an audience with King Harald.

The team then stepped out to greet the fans with the Royal Guard standing to attention behind them.

Striker Erling Haaland was noticeably absent from the final stage of the celebrations, having left ⁠early.

His departure meant he missed joining his teammates on the ‌palace steps for one last "Viking row", with tens of ‌thousands of fans gathered below, which was led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums.

"Erling ‌and Sander (Berge) had to catch their plane as our trip from the US was ‌delayed four hours," coach Stale Solbakken said, as the squad prepared to continue the celebrations in an open-top bus parade around Oslo.

Crowds slowed the bus to a halt through central Oslo, forcing it to reverse at one point as police escorts struggled to carve out a path. ‌Undeterred, Norway's players celebrated with beer and waved as the party continued long after dark.

CABLES PAUSE NORWEGIAN CELEBRATIONS

There was a moment ⁠of irony when ⁠the parade was halted by low-hanging overhead cables. The players, who had been standing and waving flags on the top deck, were forced to sit down to clear the obstruction before the double-decker could proceed.

Solbakken said earlier he was convinced the ball hit a camera cable above the pitch just before Jude Bellingham scored England's equalizer in the first half of the quarter-final.

World soccer's governing body FIFA has repeatedly denied that the ball touched any wire before the goal.

Hours after the parade began, it completed the 1.3-km route at City Hall Square, where tens of thousands of patient supporters were still waiting to welcome the team.

"I don't think anyone had imagined this," captain Martin Odegaard told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. "The support we have received in the USA and here at home in Norway, has been beyond all expectations. It has been absolutely incredible to see."

Sports

Lamine’s Great World Cup Day Still to Come, Says Spain’s De la Fuente

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)
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Lamine’s Great World Cup Day Still to Come, Says Spain’s De la Fuente

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)

Spain coach Luis de la ‌Fuente has told Lamine Yamal to pack away the birthday candles and any nerves, saying the teenager's grandest World Cup moment may come against France in Tuesday's semi-final or on an even bigger stage.

Lamine turned 19 on the eve of the meeting in Dallas and De la Fuente, who has long preached joy over jitters, said the forward should embrace rather than carry the occasion.

"I've told him there is no need to worry – let him enjoy himself. I'm sure Lamine’s great World Cup day is still to come. I hope it’s tomorrow and, if not, then in the final, if we can get there," De la Fuente told reporters.

Lamine has gradually been finding form after entering the World ‌Cup nursing a ‌hamstring injury he suffered after converting a penalty for Barcelona ‌in ⁠late April. He ⁠has scored one goal and failed to set up any at the tournament so far.

Spain beat France 5-4 in last year's Nations League semi-finals, but De la Fuente said the rematch would be another beast, particularly after the Spaniards almost let a 5-1 lead evaporate in the final 15 minutes.

"We learn a lot from those matches, as they will have done," he said. "We will try to repeat the scenarios where situations were favorable to us ⁠and not the others."

The Spain manager framed the contest as ‌a clash of "antagonistic styles" and said his side must ‌be wary of France's "very dangerous" transitions.

Asked how Spain stop forwards Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and ‌Michael Olise, De la Fuente said there had been no shortage of homework.

"We’ve analyzed ‌them very, very thoroughly. They have players of exceptional caliber, but so do we. The key is to impose our own characteristics and style, and to neutralize the opposition. That’s football. The more balanced side is usually closer to winning, although that’s no guarantee," he said.

De la Fuente ‌said France were better than the side Spain beat in 2025, with both teams sharpened by time, and insisted he would ⁠not be drawn ⁠into France coach Didier Deschamps' suggestion that Spain are favorites, dismissing the label as little more than pre-match confetti.

"Being told you are favorites or not means nothing," De la Fuente said. "We are both great teams, like in the other semi-final (England v Argentina). I don’t understand why people say such things because whether we’re the favorites or not is completely irrelevant."

De la Fuente, who described himself as "very romantic" and joked that he likes Spanish singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias, said his final message to the players would be to enjoy a moment that may not come around again.

"I tell the players that we need to enjoy ourselves; we’re in a situation that might never happen again. That we be ourselves, and that we be wary of the opposition’s strengths. We absolutely must believe we want to go through. We’ll give it our all to reach the final," De la Fuente added.