Sports

Belgium Crush USA 4-1 to Book Spain Quarter-Final Clash

Published

3 months ago

July 7, 2026

Belgium Crush USA 4-1 to Book Spain Quarter-Final Clash

SEATTLE — Fired-up Belgium brought the United States’ World Cup party to a shuddering halt on Monday, thrashing the tournament co-hosts 4-1 in a last-16 clash overshadowed by controversy, to set up a blockbuster quarter-final showdown with European champions Spain . In front of a sellout crowd of 66,925 at Lumen Field, Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and provided an assist, while Hans Vanaken punished a goalkeeping howler and substitute Romelu Lukaku added a fourth to seal a dominant victory that exposed the defensive frailties of Mauricio Pochettino’s side .

The build-up to the match was dominated by the controversial decision to allow US striker Folarin Balogun to play despite receiving a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, after FIFA controversially suspended the automatic one-match ban following direct lobbying by US President Donald Trump, who personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case. The decision sparked widespread condemnation across the football world, with UEFA describing it as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable” and saying FIFA had “crossed a red line,” while the Belgian Football Association expressed its “astonishment” and threatened legal action . Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said his team felt a “sense of injustice” over the decision, which fuelled their performance, and he declared: “A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days. There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field” .

Belgium took control early, with Charles De Ketelaere opening the scoring in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin’s pass across the face of goal found the Atalanta forward, who tapped in from close range after the US defence failed to clear their lines, and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, who made four changes to his starting XI leaving veteran Kevin De Bruyne on the bench, saw his decision proved justified as his team dominated proceedings. The Americans briefly levelled in the 31st minute when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick wrong-footed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, sparking wild celebrations from the partisan crowd, but Belgium restored their lead just 61 seconds later when Leandro Trossard delivered a pinpoint cross and De Ketelaere out-jumped defender Tim Ream to head home his second goal of the night, effectively silencing the home fans and shifting momentum decisively in Belgium’s favour.

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Belgium effectively put the game beyond reach in the 57th minute when US goalkeeper Matt Freese made a costly error, rushing out of his area to clear a long ball but losing control, allowing De Ketelaere to steal the ball and square to Hans Vanaken, who side-footed into the empty net from outside the penalty area, and the American backline, considered the team’s weakness entering the tournament, appeared overwhelmed by Belgium’s attacking quality throughout the match. Coach Pochettino admitted after the game: “Today we did not show our real quality. We started in a really poor way. Wasn’t our day, in a collective or an individual way” , acknowledging that his team had failed to replicate the form that had captivated the host nation throughout the tournament. Romelu Lukaku piled on the misery with a fourth in stoppage time, slotting home after another US defensive giveaway to record a record third goal as a substitute in a single World Cup tournament, and after scoring, several Belgian players were pictured dancing in a style similar to the “Trump dance” — a clear mockery of the controversy that had dominated the pre-match narrative.

Despite Balogun being named in the starting line-up after the FIFA reprieve, the American striker was largely anonymous throughout the match, failing to add to his three tournament goals and struggling to make an impact against a well-organised Belgian defence, while Christian Pulisic was substituted in the 59th minute after picking up an injury that further weakened the American attack. US captain Tim Ream reflected on the defeat with visible emotion: “There’s so many different thoughts and emotions that are running through me at the minute that I’m not even thinking tactically… It’s just one of those that I probably won’t be able to personally think about for a few days” , summing up the disappointment of a campaign that had captivated the host nation but ended in bitter disappointment.

The result means all three co-hosts — the USA, Mexico, and Canada — have now been eliminated in the round of 16, a significant setback for the tournament organisers who had hoped for deeper runs from the host nations. The official Belgium national team Instagram account also appeared to mock the controversy, posting a picture of Lukaku cupping his ear with the caption “overturn this,” a direct reference to the Balogun reprieve that had so angered the Belgian camp .

Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals on Friday, July 10, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, after the Spaniards booked their place with a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the final World Cup match of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career . Spanish substitute Mikel Merino coolly slotted the winner in the first minute of stoppage time to seal victory in a dour contest between the Iberian football rivals at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the 41-year-old Ronaldo, playing in his sixth and final tournament, rarely more than a peripheral figure in a performance that saw Portugal muster just two shots on target compared to Spain’s six . Ronaldo said afterwards: “It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll have time to think about the rest… Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on” , marking the end of an era for Portuguese football.

The Red Devils have reached at least the quarter-final stage in three of their past four World Cups, with their best-ever finish coming in 2018 when they took third place, and they will be looking to go one better this time around. Spain enters the quarter-final as the favourite, having not conceded a single goal in the tournament so far, while Belgium are the underdogs at +245 to advance, with Spain at -320 favourites . De Ketelaere, reflecting on his match-winning performance, said: “It is something you dream of as a kid. Being a decisive player in a knockout game is a dream come true” , while Garcia praised his team’s collective effort, stating: “We played with mastery, with willingness and with determination” .

Belgium Crush USA 4-1 to Book Spain Quarter-Final Clash

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Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2 in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday, producing a strong performance despite the absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The result extended Portugal’s perfect start under head coach Jorge Jesus, who has now overseen three victories from three matches since taking charge of the national team.

Playing in Copenhagen, Portugal took the lead in the 13th minute when João Cancelo finished from close range after Denmark struggled to clear the ball.

The hosts responded when Mikkel Damsgaard produced a composed finish to level the score.

Portugal regained the advantage shortly afterwards through Gonçalo Ramos, who found the net at the near post to make it 2-1.

Denmark refused to surrender and drew level again early in the second half through Rasmus Højlund.

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Portugal then regained control of the contest, with Vitinha heading home in the 57th minute to restore the visitors’ lead.

João Félix completed the scoring three minutes from full time, finishing a counter-attack to secure the 4-2 victory.

The match was played against the backdrop of Ronaldo’s absence after the veteran forward left Portugal’s training camp before the game.

Ronaldo’s departure followed a decision by Jesus not to start him against Denmark. The 41-year-old subsequently said in a social media post that he would explain the circumstances surrounding his exit at a later time.

With Ronaldo unavailable, Jesus handed Ramos the responsibility of leading the attack, and the Paris Saint-Germain forward responded with Portugal’s second goal.

The victory moved Portugal to nine points from three matches in the competition and maintained their winning run under Jesus.

Denmark, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another match in which they twice came from behind but were unable to prevent Portugal from taking all three points.

Portugal will continue their Nations League campaign against Norway, while attention is expected to remain on Ronaldo and his future involvement with the national team.

Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Sports

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Published

5 days ago

October 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal national team camp ahead of the country’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark, following reports of tension over his role in the team.

Ronaldo’s departure came after Portugal coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the 41-year-old forward would not start against Denmark.

The situation reportedly followed Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, when Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout the match despite warming up during the game.

According to reports, Ronaldo was unhappy after he was not introduced and went straight to the dressing room at the final whistle rather than joining his teammates in acknowledging the Portuguese supporters.

Jesus later addressed the issue and acknowledged that Ronaldo was unhappy with the decision, but denied that there had been a major confrontation between the two.

The Portugal coach also dismissed reports that Ronaldo had refused to train, explaining that the forward had instead completed individual mobility and strengthening exercises.

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The situation intensified after Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo would again not be in the starting lineup for the Denmark vs Portugal fixture, with Gonçalo Ramos expected to lead the attack.

Jesus said Ronaldo could still be introduced as a substitute depending on how the match developed.

Ronaldo subsequently held a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença before leaving the national team camp in Copenhagen.

The Portugal captain later posted a statement on social media confirming his departure and indicating that he would explain the circumstances behind the decision at a later time.

He did not directly accuse Jesus or the Portuguese federation of wrongdoing in the statement.

The episode has nevertheless generated renewed questions about Ronaldo’s role in the Portugal national team, particularly as he approaches the later stages of his international career.

Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and one of the country’s most decorated players. He has also previously indicated that his playing career is approaching its final stage.

For now, the confirmed sequence is that Ronaldo was left unused against Norway, Jesus subsequently announced that he would not start against Denmark, Ronaldo met with the federation president and then left the training camp.

Portugal’s immediate focus remains its Nations League campaign, while further details about Ronaldo’s decision are expected to emerge if the player follows through on his promise to explain the circumstances.

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Sports

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2026

Trends Admin

Super Eagles after their defeat to Guinea Bissau

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a stunning 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday night, as their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign suffered a major setback in Bissau.

The hosts produced a dominant display at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro, scoring once in the first half and twice after the break to move to the top of Group L with six points from two matches.

Franculino Djú put Guinea-Bissau ahead in the 15th minute after receiving a long pass from Renato Nhaga. He worked his way into the Nigerian penalty area before curling a left-footed effort beyond goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The Super Eagles struggled to find their rhythm after conceding and failed to create enough clear chances to trouble the hosts before the interval.

Coach Eric Chelle responded at the start of the second half by introducing Moses Simon and Moses Usor for Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka.

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The changes did little to alter the pattern of the match, with Guinea-Bissau continuing to pose the greater attacking threat.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 66th minute through Mama Baldé, who collected a pass from Mamadi Camará before cutting into the Nigerian box and firing a low shot past Nwabali.

Chelle subsequently brought on George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika for Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi, while Tolu Arokodare replaced Ademola Lookman.

Ilenikhena came close to reducing the deficit late in the game, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Embadjé made another important save to preserve his side’s two-goal advantage.

Nigeria’s miserable night was completed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Álvaro Djaló finished a through ball from Tamble Monteiro to make it 3-0.

The result leaves Nigeria with three points from two matches, following their opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar.

Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, have six points after beating Tanzania 2-0 in their opening fixture before defeating Nigeria.

Madagascar and Tanzania drew 1-1 in the other Group L match.

With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament co-hosts, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the qualifying position available to the highest-ranked non-host nation in the group.

The Super Eagles will have an opportunity to respond when they face Tanzania in a double-header during the November international window.

For Chelle and his players, however, the 3-0 defeat in Bissau leaves little room for another disappointing performance as the AFCON 2027 qualifying race continues.