De Ketelaere delivers as presidential intervention backfires
And then there were none. Just like Canada and Mexico, the USA crashed out in the last 16 of their own World Cup – thrashed 4-1 by Belgium amid the tournament’s greatest controversy so far.
With Folarin Balogun cleared to play after his red-card ban was suspended following an intervention by Donald Trump – who personally contacted FIFA chief Gianni Infantino asking for a review – the USA ought to have been buoyed as they eyed a first quarter-final since 2002.
Instead, the farcical situation only seemed to galvanise Belgium, who completely dominated proceedings in Seattle to record their biggest-ever World Cup knockout win.
Leading the line once more, Charles De Ketelaere was involved in three of his country’s goals – scoring twice in the first half, either side of Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick which had the States fleetingly level, before teeing up Hans Vanaken as the Red Devils took full advantage of goalkeeper Matt Freese’s second-half howler. De Ketelaere is the first Belgian to register three goal contributions in a single game at the World Cup.
Romelu Lukaku extended his national record to 93 by netting his customary goal from the bench for the third game running, putting the icing on the cake and compounding the hosts’ misery as Belgium set up a quarter-final date with European champions Spain.
Merino magic means miserable end of an era for Ronaldo
Mikel Merino struck the winner minutes after being subbed on as Spain saw off Iberian rivals Portugal 1-0 in Dallas, keeping their quest for a second World Cup on course and bringing down the curtain on 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo’s 20-year World Cup career.
Played through in the first minute of stoppage time by another of Luis de la Fuente’s second-half introductions, Ferran Torres, Merino sent Spain into the last eight for the first time since they were crowned world champions in 2010 – when they also defeated Portugal 1-0 in the last 16…
This game was hardly a World Cup classic, but Spain aren’t likely to have cared as they became the first side in the history of the competition to keep six successive clean sheets – with goalkeeper Unai Simon extending his all-time individual record to 609 minutes without conceding.
As for a teary-eyed Portugal captain Ronaldo, who had said ahead of kick-off that this would be his last World Cup, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner reflected: “I will wake up tomorrow the same way I woke up today: with a clear conscience. I gave my all. I won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had never won a big trophy.”
The Round of 16 concludes on Tuesday evening as the tournament heads into its first football-less day after 27 straight days of action (nb. there will no newsletter tomorrow, but we’ll be back on Thursday!).
First up, holders Argentina take on Egypt in Atlanta, before Switzerland face Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Argentina hot favourites against Egypt, but neither of two modern icons will want this to be the end
As Argentina continue the defence of their crown and look to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup, the Golden Boot race could take another intriguing twist.
Currently level on seven goals with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland at a tournament where the superstars really have come out to play, Lionel Messi will have sights set on scoring in a record-extending ninth consecutive World Cup match.
Whatever happens in Atlanta, it looks set to be the end of an era for one modern great.
If Argentina triumph as all logic suggests, that’s probably that for Egypt skipper and talisman Mohamed Salah – now 35 – at least on this stage. And if the Pharaohs spring an almighty surprise on the Albiceleste, 39-year-old Messi surely bows out with nothing left to prove at the pinnacle of international football.
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two countries and the omens aren’t great for Egypt: while Messi just keeps scoring, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last five World Cup outings…
Switzerland and Colombia bid goodbye to stadium where it rains goals
Switzerland and Colombia go head-to-head in an intriguingly poised tie from which the victors will play Argentina or Egypt in the quarter-finals.
Having finally notched their very first World Cup knockout success, Switzerland are targeting a first quarter-final since reaching that stage as hosts (of a 16-team tournament) way back in 1954.
Colombia, meanwhile, made it to their only quarter-final 12 years ago in Brazil – but they’ve already made some history by winning a knockout game outside South America for the first time in their seven World Cup appearances to date.
This encounter also marks the 2026 World Cup’s farewell to Canada – and to a stadium, BC Place Vancouver, whose six matches at these finals have seen an average of just shy of five goals.
And maybe ominously for Colombia, Switzerland have already won twice here – beating Canada 2-1 in their final group fixture then dispatching Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32.
