SEATTLE/ARLINGTON: Belgium and Spain secured their places in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after defeating the United States and Portugal in their Round of 16 matches.
Belgium produced a commanding performance to beat co-hosts United States 4-1 in Seattle. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added a goal each to seal an emphatic victory.
The United States pulled one goal back through Malik Tillman, but it proved to be only a consolation as Belgium maintained control throughout the match to book a place in the last eight.
Earlier, the match had attracted attention following the reinstatement of American forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension had been overturned, allowing him to feature in the knockout clash.
In the other Round of 16 fixture, Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter in Arlington.
Both sides failed to break the deadlock during regular time despite creating several chances. Spain finally found the winner in first-half stoppage time through Mikel Merino, whose decisive strike sent the European champions into the quarter-finals.
The result ended Portugal’s World Cup campaign and dashed Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Spain will now face Belgium in the quarter-finals as both teams continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.
