Spain ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s FIFA World Cup aspirations while the United States simply capitulated against Belgium.
It marked the final blow for the co-hosts of Canada, Mexico and the United States, leaving none of them moving forward to the quarter-final.
Spain 1 – 0 Portugal
The Battle of the Iberian Peninsula was expected to be a huge matchup, but one with significant respect. It’s a draw that historically has ended in draws, but that would not be the case today.
Mikel Oyarzabal, who had been in form throughout the World Cup for Spain, had an opportune chance in the 9th minute. A clear break from an excellent pass that set him on his way, his shot went wide of the far post by a significant margin.
Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena also tested Portugal’s keeper, Diogo Costa. But Costa started the match well, giving his team the time needed to grow into the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo attempted a somewhat audacious shot. With his back to the net and Unai Simón off his line, Ronaldo chipped a shot over his shoulder.
However, Simón recovered quickly and was able to grab the ball.
Nuno Mendes had a late opportunity for Portugal, but Pedro Porro got a head on it and deflected the shot into the crossbar and out of touch.
Spain looked to have the better of the chances in the second half, but they were either from distance or low quality.
Portugal was even worse, with none of their three shots in the second half hitting the target.
But extra time was not to be. Mikel Merino, who came on as a substitute in the 85th minute, took only five more minutes to end the game.
Merino took a quick free kick, catching the Portuguese players by surprise. As soon as he took the set piece, he jumped forward into space, received the ball back and put it into the back of the net.
It was the only goal that was needed for the Spanish favourites as they moved on to the quarter-finals.
USA 1 – 4 Belgium
There has not often been a match that has had so much happen in the hours and days leading up to it. But with the red card suspension being put on hold for Folarin Balogun, this was a match that seemed destined for fireworks.
Belgium came out of the gate early on, testing Matt Freese in the American goal. A throw-in came to Timothy Castagne, whose long-distance shot had to be dealt with.
Belgium had four shots in the first five minutes of the match, with two calling on Freese to save. Oddly, at Seattle Stadium, it was the Americans who were forced to withstand early pressure.
And that early pressure paid off. Leandro Trossard’s cross was cut off, but the clearance only made it to Nicolas Raskin. The midfielder drilled through three American defenders in the box before cutting the ball back for Charles De Ketelaere.
It was an easy tap-in for De Ketelaere, giving Belgium the lead in the 9th minute.
But when the United States got their chance in the 31st minute, they took it.
On a free kick from a dangerous area just outside the 18-yard box, Malik Tillman struck the ball hard. It took a significant deflection off the Belgian wall and caught Thibaut Courtois moving in the wrong direction.
It was the American’s first shot of the game.
Belgium answered back two minutes later. Trossard crossed the ball from the byline and, this time, it got through to De Ketelaere, who headed it in with power.
The second half saw the United States grow somewhat into the game. The possession was there, but they were finding difficulty locating a shot.
But their growth was halted by a shocker from Freese. The American keeper came out to play the ball, but dug his toe into the ground instead.
The ball rolled to Hans Vanaken, who shot from roughly 30 yards out, past the out-of-play Freese and beyond Tim Ream, who had come back to help.
It was a gut-punch of a goal in the 57th minute, leaving the Americans with a mountain to climb.
Romelu Lukaku, a late Belgian substitute, added a fourth goal in stoppage time. It completed the rout.
There was no path back for the Americans. And with that, the co-host went out with a wimper.
Up next
Argentina faces Egypt and Switzerland take on Colombia to wrap up the Round of 32.
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