14 articles
A 2-1 quarter-final loss to Spain, and a goalkeeper limping off in tears, closed the book on the most gifted Belgium side in a generation. The succession, though, is further along than the mourning suggests.
A goal kick, a jolt in the thigh, and Thibaut Courtois was gone on 71 minutes. Belgium lost their keeper, then their quarter-final, and now Real Madrid wait on news neither camp has yet given.
Spain won it 2-1, but Opta had them at 17 shots to five and 2.08 expected goals to 0.37. This is the tactical story of a quarter-final the scoreboard kept insisting was close, and never really was.
Six outlets, six sets of marks, and on Pau Cubarsi they sat more than three points apart. Here is how the graders scored Spain's quarter-final win, from Mikel Merino at the top to Senne Lammens at the bottom.
A second knockout winner off the bench from Mikel Merino saw Spain past a stubborn Belgium at SoFi Stadium, ending Unai Simon's 650-minute shutout streak but sending the Spanish into a semi-final with France.
Co-host United States face Belgium in a Seattle Round of 16 rematch of their dramatic 2014 knockout duel, with Folarin Balogun cleared to play after FIFA reversed his suspension.
The United States are 90 minutes from their first World Cup quarterfinal in 24 years, but a Belgium side with a knockout history against the Americans stands in the way at Lumen Field.
The USMNT face Belgium in the Round of 16 at Lumen Field without suspended top scorer Folarin Balogun, chasing just their second quarter-final appearance in the modern era.
The USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina became the most-watched English-language soccer telecast ever, and now Folarin Balogun will miss the Round of 16 test against Belgium after his red card.
The Fourth of July weekend marks America's 250th birthday and the USMNT's biggest knockout match in a generation. Here is what Belgium on Monday means for the co-hosts.
Folarin Balogun scored then received a contentious red card in USA's 2-0 World Cup win over Bosnia. The USMNT cannot appeal and will face Belgium without their most in-form striker.
USMNT knocked out Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the Round of 16. Now Belgium and Kevin De Bruyne stand between the co-hosts and a historic run.
Belgium and Senegal collide in a heavyweight knockout tie where experience, pace, and set-piece quality could decide who advances and who flies home.
