Belgium crush USA to end World Cup dream, set up Spain showdown

Belgium ended the United States' World Cup adventure in emphatic fashion on Monday, cruising to a 4-1 victory over the tournament co-hosts to book a quarter-final clash with Spain.

Charles De Ketelaere starred with a brace, Hans Vanaken capitalised on a costly goalkeeping error, and substitute Romelu Lukaku added a late goal as Belgium dominated a last-16 encounter at Seattle's Lumen Field.

The build-up to the match had been dominated by controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun. The forward returned to the starting line-up after FIFA suspended his one-match ban following lobbying from US President Donald Trump, but he struggled to make an impact and remained largely ineffective throughout the contest.

Belgium's clinical display dashed American hopes of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years, bringing an abrupt end to a campaign that had generated widespread excitement among home supporters.

De Ketelaere opened the scoring in the ninth minute before the United States responded through Malik Tillman, whose deflected free-kick found the net in the 31st minute.

The parity lasted only two minutes, with De Ketelaere restoring Belgium's lead by heading home in the 33rd minute.

Belgium tightened their grip on the match in the 57th minute when Vanaken punished a major mistake by goalkeeper Matt Freese, who lost possession after racing out of his area in an attempt to clear the ball. Lukaku completed the rout deep into stoppage time with Belgium's fourth goal.

The defeat capped a turbulent period for the United States following FIFA's surprise decision on Sunday to lift Balogun's suspension, a move that sparked criticism across the football world. Earlier on Monday, Belgian football authorities challenged Balogun's eligibility, but FIFA rejected the appeal.

Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles on Friday.

Spain secured their place in the last eight with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal, ending what proved to be Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance.

Substitute Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the first minute of stoppage time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, finishing calmly after racing onto a quickly taken free-kick to settle an otherwise cagey contest between the Iberian rivals.

The defeat marked an emotional farewell to the World Cup for Portugal captain Ronaldo, who was featuring in the tournament for a sixth and final time at the age of 41.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward, who has endured a difficult campaign in the United States, had hoped to complete his glittering career by lifting the World Cup trophy. However, Portugal struggled to create chances, managing only two shots on target compared with Spain's six, while Ronaldo had little influence on the game.

After the match, Ronaldo confirmed it had been his last World Cup but said he would take time before deciding on the next chapter of his career.

"It was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll take time to think about the future, spend time with my family, avoid making rash decisions and simply move forward with life," he said.

"That's football. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to keep going."

The all-time leading scorer in men's international football added that he leaves the World Cup "with a clear conscience."

"The biggest title I won with Portugal was the 2016 European Championship, and for me that achievement is every bit as meaningful as winning a World Cup," he said.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised his side for overcoming a stubborn Portuguese defence.

"It was a fantastic match, almost like a final played ahead of schedule," he said. "We had to battle until the very end, but the team delivered a complete performance."