The USA are in their first World Cup knockout match since 2014 and they are hosting it. The co-host advantage has been real: American crowds have been electric, USMNT players have fed off the energy, and the side that beat Paraguay 4-1 in the opener has looked increasingly confident as the tournament has progressed. The Round of 32 win over Bosnia 2-0 — while Folarin Balogun played the last 26 minutes with ten men after a red card — showed this team's defensive resilience and Malik Tillman's ability to produce moments of quality (his 81st-minute free kick) when it most matters.
Belgium have been a different kind of story. Written off before the tournament, they came back from 0-2 down against Senegal with 5 minutes left to win 3-2 in extra time — Yannick Carrasco, Romelu Lukaku, and a Tielemans penalty at 124 minutes. The new generation of Belgian football, less decorated than the Golden Generation but arguably more resilient, has arrived. Kevin De Bruyne — still the best passer in the world at 35 — controls the tempo of every match he plays in. Leandro Trossard is the most underrated player at this tournament. Lois Openda has three goals. Belgium, here in Seattle, are dangerous and experienced and slightly underrated.
Gregg Berhalter has structured USMNT around a high press and winning second balls. Without Balogun's pace off the bench, the team's depth at forward becomes less dynamic — but Tillman's dead-ball delivery and Christian Pulisic's combination with Gio Reyna in the final third have been excellent throughout. The set-piece threat from the USA is real: tall, athletic, and well-drilled in the box. Against a Belgian side that conceded from set pieces against Senegal, this could be decisive.
Belgium play through De Bruyne, always. When he receives in a half-space and turns, the entire Belgian attack becomes dynamic. Openda's runs in behind — timing them off De Bruyne's weight of pass — have produced three goals and will produce more. The defensive concern is their high line: USMNT's transition speed with Pulisic and Reyna could exploit the space behind Belgium's centre-backs if the USA can win the ball in transition quickly enough.
Lumen Field is as loud as any stadium at this World Cup for a USMNT match. USA start fast — Malik Tillman finds Christian Pulisic with a diagonal ball in the 18th minute; Pulisic cuts inside and finishes low into the corner. 1–0 USA. Seattle reaches a different level of volume.
Belgium press back through De Bruyne. In the 55th minute, a De Bruyne ball through the line finds Lois Openda, who has outrun everyone and slides the finish past Matt Turner. 1–1. The quality gap closes. Belgium now control the game.
Kevin De Bruyne steps up in the 78th minute. A loose ball on the edge of the box. First touch. One step. Low drive into the corner. 2–1 Belgium. USA push desperately for the equalizer. They don't find it. Belgium advance 2–1 and the Couch is already composing an apology letter to the USMNT faithful.
Cuts inside from the left, finishes low. The American captain steps up on the biggest night of his career so far. Lumen Field explodes.
Goal number four. De Bruyne finds him in behind. He doesn't miss in this tournament. He does not miss tonight either.
A late goal that ends the match. Because it is Kevin De Bruyne and this is what he does. One first touch. One drive. Quarterfinal.
35 years old and still producing the most incisive passing of anyone in this tournament. For Belgium he is the first touch and the last pass — every attacking move either starts with or routes through him. USMNT will press him aggressively, but De Bruyne has spent his career being pressed by Manchester City training sessions. He is ready for this. He is always ready for this. Watch his right foot in the 75th–80th minute — that is when he tends to decide things.