De Ketelaere dominates with 1st-half brace vs. USMNT

Defense was optional Monday in Seattle, as Belgium and the United States combined for three goals in the opening 33 minutes of their last-16 clash.

Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the ninth minute as Belgium got off to a flying start against the Americans.

Malik Tillman equalized in the 31st minute when his free-kick took a wicked deflection off the head of a Belgian player in the defensive wall. That brought a previously raucous Seattle crowd back to life.

But De Ketelaere quickly silenced it once more just over a minute later, heading home his second goal of the match.

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De Ketelaere's opener

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This was the first time at the 2026 World Cup that the United States didn't score the opening goal in a match.

The Americans couldn't overcome the early setbacks, as Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals with an eventual 4-1 win.