Belgium Takes 2-1 World Cup Lead Over USA as De Ketelaere Strikes Twice
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jul 6
Belgium Takes 2-1 World Cup Lead Over USA as De Ketelaere Strikes Twice
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jul 6
Summary
Charles De Ketelaere scored in the ninth minute and again moments after Malik Tillman’s equalizer to give Belgium a 2-1 halftime lead over the United States in Seattle.
Belgium earned that edge by repeatedly exposing shaky US defending, while the Americans’ high press and Christian Pulisic offered little threat for much of the first half.
Tillman briefly pulled the USA level with a deflected free kick after Folarin Balogun won a foul, but Belgium answered almost immediately through Leandro Trossard’s cross to De Ketelaere.
Balogun’s start came after FIFA cleared him despite a prior red card, a decision President Donald Trump said he personally asked Gianni Infantino to review.
The winner will move into the World Cup quarterfinals against Spain, which eliminated Portugal earlier Sunday.