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World Cup 2026 Roundup: USA Advance Despite Balogun Red Card, Belgium Pull Off Miracle Comeback
The 2026 World Cup knockout stage delivered two absolute blockbusters on Wednesday as the USA booked a last-16 date with Belgium, while the Red Devils pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in tournament history to eliminate Senegal.
🇺🇸 USA 1–0 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Round of 32)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Venue | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| Attendance | 71,000+ |
| Goal | Folarin Balogun 32′ |
| Red Card | Folarin Balogun 62′ |
| Man of the Match | Malik Tillman |
The USMNT secured their first knockout win since 2002, but it came at a heavy cost. Folarin Balogun opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a sharp finish — his third goal of the tournament — but was sent off just after the hour mark following a VAR review for a studs-on-ankle challenge.
The red card appeared accidental, yet referee Raphael Claus had little choice after watching slow-motion replays. Balogun now faces a mandatory one-game ban, ruling him out of Monday’s clash against Belgium, with potential additional suspension.
Malik Tillman eventually sealed the win, slotting home after Christian Pulisic’s goal was ruled offside. The USA defended resolutely with 10 men for over 30 minutes, showcasing the grit Mauricio Pochettino has instilled.
Key Stat: Balogun became just the fourth player in World Cup history to both score and be sent off in a knockout match — joining Garrincha (1962), Ronaldinho (2002), and Zinedine Zidane (2006).
🇧🇪 Belgium 3–2 Senegal AET (Round of 32)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Venue | Seattle Stadium |
| Goals | Diarra 20′, Sarr 54′ (SEN); Lukaku 86′, Tielemans 89′, Tielemans 125′ pen (BEL) |
| Historic Note | Latest comeback from 2-0 down in WC history |
| Latest Goal Ever | Tielemans penalty — 124 minutes 44 seconds |
This match had everything. Senegal dominated for 70 minutes, leading 2-0 with just four minutes of regulation time remaining. Then came the Belgian revival.
Romelu Lukaku — who played only 69 minutes of club football all season — sparked hope with a header in the 86th minute. Three minutes later, captain Youri Tielemans equalized from Leandro Trossard’s cross. The pair, seen arguing earlier in the match, combined to force extra time.
Deep into extra time, VAR awarded Belgium a controversial penalty when Lamine Camara challenged Tielemans. The captain stepped up and converted at 124:44 — the latest goal ever scored in a World Cup match.
For Senegal, it’s another gut-wrenching exit after being stripped of their Afcon title earlier this year. Manager Pape Thiaw said simply: “We’re out — it hurts.”
🏴 England 2–1 DR Congo (Round of 16)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Venue | Atlanta Stadium |
| BBC Audience | 16.3 million viewers |
| England scorers | Kane, Bellingham |
England survived a scare against DR Congo, with Harry Kane rescuing the Three Lions. However, pundits raised serious concerns about Thomas Tuchel’s side heading into their quarter-final matchup against Mexico.
🇲🇽 Mexico 1–0 Ecuador
An impressive Mexico side dispatched Ecuador to set up a potential blockbuster against England. The Azteca factor — and Mexico City’s altitude — could prove decisive.
📅 Upcoming Key Fixtures
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| USA vs Belgium | Monday, July 6 | Seattle Stadium |
| England vs Mexico | TBD | Mexico City Stadium |
| Portugal vs TBD | Friday, July 3 | Toronto Stadium |
| France vs TBD | Thursday, July 2 | Los Angeles Stadium |
🔮 Looking Ahead
The USA faces a monumental test against Belgium without their star striker Balogun. Ricardo Pepi is the likely replacement, but he hasn’t scored an international goal since November 2024.
Pochettino remains defiant: “These guys are creating a legacy in this country. With our amazing fans, everything is possible. Why not us?”
For Belgium, the comeback against Senegal proved the old guard still has life. With Courtois, De Bruyne, and Lukaku leading the charge, this experienced core knows how to win knockout football.
FAQ
Q: Will Balogun miss more than one game?
A: The automatic ban is one match, but FIFA could extend it depending on their review of the incident.
Q: When is the USA vs Belgium match?
A: Monday, July 6 at Seattle Stadium. Kickoff is at 01:00 BST (Tuesday morning).
Q: How many teams are still in the World Cup?
A: The tournament has progressed to the Round of 16, with 16 teams remaining.
Q: Where can I watch matches in the US?
A: Matches are broadcast on Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with streaming on their respective platforms.
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