(WISH) — The United States’ FIFA World Cup run ended Monday night with a 4-1 loss to Belgium at Lumen Field in the Round of 16.
Belgium struck early, taking a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute when Charles De Ketelaere finished a cross into the box. The U.S. answered in the 31st minute after a foul just outside the box.
Midfielder Malik Tillman drilled a free kick into traffic, and a deflection off a Belgian defender redirected the ball into the center of the net to level the match at 1-1.
The equalizer was short-lived. Two minutes later, De Ketelaere scored again in the 33rd minute to restore Belgium’s lead.
At halftime, Belgium led 2-1 and held an 11-2 advantage in shots.
Things got worse for Team USA after the break. In the 57th minute, goalkeeper Matt Freese came well outside the box to clear a loose ball but mishit it, leaving Belgium’s Hans Vanaken with a clean look at the goal.
Vanaken buried the chance, sending the shot past Freese and a desperate last-ditch attempt from defender Tim Ream. The strike made it 3-1 Belgium in the 57th minute. By the end of the game, Belgium outshot Team USA 15-6.
Then, in the 92nd minute, Belgium tacked on one last goal off the foot of Brandon Mechele during extra time. Muchele beat a flurry of USA defenders inside the box and shot a low line drive toward the bottom right corner of the net to take a 4-1 lead.
Team USA’s loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 ends the United States best run at a FIFA World Cup since 2002, when the United States beat Mexico 2-0 to reach the quarterfinals.
Belgium will now play Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 10th.
