World Cup Day 26: Ronaldo bows out as Belgium thrash USA | OneFootball

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and the USA have been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026 as Spain and Belgium both booked their places in the quarter-finals. 

Here is our in-depth recap of all the action from Monday, including what you might have missed overnight.

World Cup Day 26 recap:

Spain edge past Portugal to end Ronaldo’s World Cup career

The dream is over for Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal bowed out of the World Cup following a late winner for Spain from Arsenal’s Mikel Merino.

This was not the blockbuster clash we were all hoping for as both sides nullified each other’s strengths for the most part, leading to a sedate, rather boring match in which very little of consequence happened outside of the opening 15 minutes.

Mikel Oyarzabal should have given La Roja the lead early on when he was put clean through on goal with a brilliant passing move, but the Real Sociedad striker somehow put his attempt wide of the mark.

Nuno Mendes almost broke the deadlock just before halftime when his shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar after taking a big deflection. That was the closest Portugal came to scoring as they failed to land a blow on Spain.

As the game tipped into stoppage time, Ferran Torres slid a clever through ball into Merino, bypassing the backline before the 30-year-old midfielder slotted it into the bottom corner.

Portugal pushed for an equaliser, but couldn’t even get a shot on target as they went out with a whimper. It was a fitting end for a team that has managed to underperform at every major tournament since winning Euro 2016.

Roberto Martinez must take a huge slice of the blame. The Spanish coach has failed to get the best out of an exceptional group of talent, in large part due to his refusal to drop Ronaldo or even sub him off in games in which he has contributed nothing.

Ronaldo was once one of the game’s greats, capable of extraordinary things on the pitch. But he has been a hindrance to Portugal, who otherwise have a squad capable of challenging for major honours, for too long now.

The 41-year-old stood in the middle of the pitch at full-time, knowing that he had just played his last game at a World Cup. Even as the tears started rolling down his cheeks, not a single teammate came to console him.

Read – It took Cristiano Ronaldo 20 years to score this World Cup goal

Belgium smush US following Trump controversy

After the scandalous events of the past week in which Folarin Balogun had his suspension suspended so he could play in the round of 16, the meeting of the USA and Belgium turned out to be a major anti-climax, for the Americans at least.

There was a positivity surrounding the USMNT this summer that hadn’t been present in many years, probably ever. Mauricio Pochettino had his side playing good football while winning matches, and there was genuine belief they could go far in this tournament on home soil.

That optimism was eroded somewhat when Balogun received an extremely unfortunate red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina for accidentally stepping on the leg of Tarik Muharemovic. That earned him a one-match suspension and, because FIFA do not have a mid-tournament appeals process in their statutes, he would miss the Belgium game.

This is where US President Donald J. Trump got involved. He confirmed this week that he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the possibility of reversing the red card decision. Lo’ and behold, FIFA announced that Balogun’s suspension would be suspended for one year, invoking Article 27 of their Disciplinary Code.

It was an unprecedented move by the federation and heavily criticised by the Belgian FA. It is having a knock-on effect too; England’s FA are considering their options with regard to Jarell Quansah’s red card against Mexico, while France are appealing Michael Olise’s booking against Paraguay.

Any remaining positivity surrounding the USA was completely washed away following these events, with even many of their own fans expressing disgust at the process.

Balogun started the game, but as it turned out, he had very little influence on proceedings. Belgium completely dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead when Charles De Ketelaere sauntered through the middle of the defence to tap in the opening goal.

Even if the USA wanted to park the bus, their lack of a functioning public transport system meant they would be incapable of doing so effectively. They were lucky not to concede another before equalising as Malik Tillman’s free-kick took a huge deflection, wrong footing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

But the USA’s balloon was immediately popped by De Ketelaere posterizing Tim Ream to restore their lead less than two minutes later. In the second half, goalkeeper Matt Freeze made a complete mess of possession, relinquishing the ball under pressure from De Ketelaere before Hans Vanaken shot into an empty net.

Romelu Lukaku fired the ball into the far corner of the net deep into stoppage time to put the nail in the co-host’s coffin. The Belgium team celebrated by doing Trump’s trademark dance, completing the humiliation ritual in Seattle.

Following the 4-1 win, the Belgium national team’s X account could not resist getting in one last dig at the USA. 

It was an ignominious end for the USMNT, whose players and manager did not deserve to be thrown into the middle of a controversy ahead of one of the biggest games of their lives.

Read – The players to score and receive a red card in a FIFA World Cup knockout match

See Also – Five world-class players who never featured at a World Cup

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