The United States men's national team secured a historic 2-1 victory over Belgium on Monday, booking their place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002. Goals from Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie in the first half proved decisive, with Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne pulling one back in the second half.
First-Half Dominance
The USMNT started brightly, pressing high and creating early chances. Pulisic opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, slotting home after a clever pass from McKennie. McKennie then doubled the lead 10 minutes later, heading in a corner from Sergiño Dest. The Americans dominated possession and limited Belgium to few opportunities before the break.
Belgium's Fightback
Belgium emerged stronger after halftime, with De Bruyne orchestrating attacks. He scored in the 67th minute with a low drive from the edge of the box, setting up a tense finish. The US defense, led by Tim Ream, held firm despite sustained pressure, and goalkeeper Matt Turner made several crucial saves to preserve the lead.
Historic Achievement
According to US Soccer, this is the first time the USMNT has reached the quarter-finals since 2002, when they lost to Germany. Coach Gregg Berhalter praised his team's resilience: "This group showed incredible character and belief. We knew Belgium would come back, but we stuck to the game plan and executed when it mattered."
Next Opponent
The US will face the winner of the Netherlands vs. Argentina match in the quarter-finals. The victory has sparked celebrations across the country, with fans hopeful for a deep run in the tournament.
