Can the USA continue their American dream? We look ahead to Monday’s FIFA World Cup clash with our United States vs Belgium prediction and preview
United States vs Belgium: The Key Insights
- The United States are slight favourites according to the Opta supercomputer, as they have a 37.2% chance of winning within 90 minutes, compared to Belgium’s 36.5%.
- This will be the USA’s seventh World Cup last-16 tie, having lost five of six so far. The sole exception was a victory over old foes Mexico in 2002.
- By contrast, Belgium have won five of their last seven World Cup knockout matches.
Aiming to reach just their second World Cup quarter-final, the United States must get past an experienced Belgium side in Seattle
Last time out, the tournament co-hosts beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2–0 to reach the last 16 once again, having topped Group D
Victory was only tainted by a controversial red card for star striker Folarin Balogun, who became the fourth player to score and be sent off in the same World Cup knockout match, following in some very famous footsteps: Zinedine Zidane (2006 final), Ronaldinho (2002 quarter-final) and Garrincha (1962 semi-final)
Set to miss this last-16 clash as a result, Balogun has notched three goals from 11 shots (27.3% conversion rate), while his teammates have produced five from 41 attempts (12.2%) combined
Just the third US player to score at least three at one edition of FIFA’s top tournament – after Bert Patenaude (four in 1930) and Landon Donovan (three in 2010) – he’ll be sorely missed against Belgium
Still, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have looked potent ever since destroying a tough Paraguay side in their opener: they’ve scored at least twice in each match, becoming the first non-European or South American team to do so in four consecutive World Cup games
A tally of four goals from set-pieces includes Malik Tillman‘s free-kick against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which was just his country’s second strike from a dead ball at the World Cup
USA have come a long way since Eric Wynalda scored that famous free-kick against Switzerland in 1994. Now back on home soil, they intend to break new ground
Having posted three wins – already their most in a single edition – the States are just one more away from setting up an enticing quarter-final against either Portugal or Spain
In Balogun’s absence, Ricardo Pepi could deputise alongside ‘Captain America’ Christian Pulisic, but Belgium’s attack remains thes way back to match fitness
This tournament represents the last dance for Lukaku’s fading ‘golden generation’, and his trusted ally Kevin De Bruyne has been subbed off in all four matches so far. He’d played the full game in 13 previous World Cup appearances
Rudi Garcia removed his key creator as early as the 56th minute against Senegal, when Jérémy Doku was also surprisingly substituted with the Red Devils two down and facing an early exit
Still trailing with time running out, half-time sub Lukaku pulled one back before captain Youri Tielemans quickly struck to force extra-time; those goals came just 159 seconds apart
Then, with penalties looming, Tielemans nervelessly converted a last-gasp winner from the spot. Timed at 124:44, it was the latest World Cup goal on record
While Senegal were left cursing their luck, Belgium became the first side to progress from a knockout tie after trailing by two or more goals since doing so themselves in 2018
Aside from their golden oldies, Leandro Trossard has proved an integral figure at these finals: including an assist for Tielemans’ leveller, he’s created 16 chances from open play
That’s already the second-most at any of the last three World Cups – only behind Lionel Messi’s 17 in 2022 – and represents a new Belgian record, so the States will be wary of his threat
USA vs Belgium Head-to-Head
After beating Belgium 3-0 at the 1930 World Cup, the United States have since lost each of the last six meetings, conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game
When they most recently met, for an international friendly in March, the Stars and Stripes were dealt a 5–2 thumping defeat on home turf
USA vs Belgium Prediction
The Opta supercomputer’s 25,000 pre-match simulations gave the United States a 37.2% chance of success within 90 minutes
Meanwhile, Belgium were assigned a 36.5% chance of victory inside normal time; the probability of going to extra-time – and potentially penalties – was 26.3%
United States vs Belgium Squads
USA:Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Auston Trusty, Miles Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Tyler Adams, Giovanni Reyna, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Malik Tillman, Max Arfsten, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Timothy Weah, Álex Zendejas
Belgium:Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper, Thomas Meunier, Koni De Winter, Joaquin Seys, Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Nicolas Raskin, Amadou Onana, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, Jérémy Doku, Dodi Lukébakio, Charles De Ketelaere, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers, Matias Fernandez-Pardo
United States vs Belgium Predicted Lineups
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