Belgium Dumps U.S. 4-1 as Pulisic Exits With 59th-Minute Ankle Injury
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 7
Belgium Dumps U.S. 4-1 as Pulisic Exits With 59th-Minute Ankle Injury
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 7
Summary
Christian Pulisic left in the 59th minute after twisting his right ankle and knee, and the U.S. then crashed out of the World Cup with a 4-1 round-of-16 loss to Belgium.
One play on the edge of Belgium's box triggered the injury: Pulisic kicked into Youri Tielemans' leg while shooting, went down in pain, got no free kick and was replaced seven minutes later.
Pulisic said the tournament ended in a frustrating way after a previous calf issue had already limited him in three matches, leaving the AC Milan forward with no goals and one assist.
The exit ended a U.S. run that included dominant group-stage progress and a win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but Pulisic said the team still has "the next step to climb" against elite opponents.