In a dramatic 24-hour stretch that will define the 2026 FIFA World Cup's round of 16, Belgium have eliminated the United States with a emphatic 4-1 victory in Seattle, ending the host nation's tournament on home soil, while Spain ended Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Portugal in Arlington, Texas.
Belgium dismantle the United States in Seattle
The last of the three co-hosts to fall, the United States were swept aside by a determined Belgium side that proved far more clinical and cohesive on the night. The result means all three host nations — the US, Mexico and Canada — have now been knocked out, with Mexico falling to England and Canada eliminated by Morocco in earlier rounds.
Belgium took the initiative from the outset, scoring against the run of play to leave the Americans chasing the match. The US briefly levelled through a deflected free kick, but Belgium retook the lead before half-time to lead 2-1 at the break.
The second half proved even more punishing for the home side. US goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted Belgium their third goal in a costly error — coming off his line to collect the ball, he instead lost the contest with Charles De Ketelaere, who nudged the ball into the path of Hans Vanaken, who finished with ease. The blunder effectively ended America's hopes of a comeback.
With the crowd desperately trying to rally their team, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter attempted to lift spirits — yelling and gesturing to teammates and supporters alike — but the effort came to nothing. Belgium then rubbed salt into the wound in the 93rd minute, when Romelu Lukaku added a fourth to complete the rout and send the Americans home.
Questions will linger over whether the swirling off-field controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card suspension — and the subsequent political intervention from US President Donald Trump, who confirmed he personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the decision — played a role in unsettling the team's preparations. Trump later said: "All I did was ask for a review. I didn't say, 'You have to do this.'" Whether that distraction contributed to the performance, or whether Belgium were simply the superior team on the day, is a question that will follow this US squad for some time.
Belgium advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Spain in Los Angeles on Saturday morning (kick-off 5am AEST).
Spain end Ronaldo's World Cup career with late winner in Arlington
In front of a crowd of 70,649 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Spain and Portugal delivered a tightly contested Iberian derby that ultimately belonged to the European champions — though not without an agonising wait for their breakthrough.
The match promised a marquee clash between Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, playing in what he confirmed would be his final World Cup, and Spain's teenage Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, just 18 — two extraordinary talents at opposite ends of their careers. In reality, neither fully dominated a cautious, tense affair that threatened to drag into extra time.
Spain should have led inside the first 10 minutes when Mikel Oyarzabal was played through one-on-one with goalkeeper Diogo Costa, only to pull his shot well wide. Ronaldo, meanwhile, stung the palms of Spanish keeper Unai Simón from a tight angle as Portugal showed they were not simply making up the numbers.
Portugal came closest to breaking the deadlock when a Nuno Mendes shot struck the crossbar after being deflected by Spain full-back Pedro Porro. Mendes was later forced off injured after 56 minutes, a blow to Portugal's attacking play down the flank that had been troubling Yamal throughout.
Ronaldo — greeted with a mixture of jeers and cheers throughout — was kept largely peripheral as the game entered its final stages, but Portugal coach Roberto Martínez elected to keep the veteran on the pitch despite the scoreless deadlock and a series of late substitutions.
It proved to be a costly call in the finest possible sense for Spain. In the first minute of injury time, substitute Ferran Torres slipped the ball into the path of fellow substitute Mikel Merino, who finished with a composure that belied the tension of the occasion, sending Spain through 1-0.
For Ronaldo, it was a sour ending to a storied World Cup journey. The 41-year-old, now playing his club football in Saudi Arabia, had scored three goals in North America across the tournament — a fitting final chapter, even if his last match ended in defeat. His exit draws a line under one of the most remarkable careers in the World Cup knockout stage era of modern football.
Spain, who have now gone the entire tournament without conceding a goal, remain one of the pre-tournament favourites and have lifted the World Cup just once before, in 2010. Portugal's best remains a third-place finish in 1966.
What happens next
Spain will face Belgium in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 5am AEST. The clash promises to be a compelling encounter between two of Europe's most technically gifted nations.
For the United States, the exit marks a painful end to what was supposed to be a triumphant home tournament — and raises serious questions about the team's readiness on the world stage. For more on the latest world sport and news, including reaction as the quarter-finals take shape, stay with us for continuing coverage.
