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FIFA World Cup 2026: It is end of road for all three co-hosts
The other co-hosts, Canada and Mexico, have already been eliminated.
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Tue, 07, Jul 2026
- 00:53 EDT
- 31
FIFA / Pexels
Belgium stunned the USA 4-1 to mark the end of the road for all three co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The USA was the last of the three co-hosts left in the fray.
The other co-hosts, Canada and Mexico, have already been eliminated. Canada lost to Morocco 0-3, while Mexico went down to England 2-3 in the round of 16.
Belgium thus becomes the fifth European team to reach the quarterfinals. The last two Round of 16 games featuring defending champion Argentina and another Pan American team, Colombia, will be played tomorrow. Argentina takes on Egypt, while Colombia plays Switzerland.
Cristiano Ronaldo's dream of winning the World Cup was shattered by Portugal's 0-1 loss to European champion Spain. In a grueling game between two European giants, Spain enjoyed a slight edge. Though Ronaldo had a couple of chances to score, he could not get past the solid defense Spain put up.
It was Mikel Merino's stoppage-time strike that ended Portugal's campaign. His goal snatched Spain victory over Portugal at Dallas Stadium to earn Spain a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal berth. With the entry of Spain, the European teams strengthened their grip in the elimination rounds.
Luis de la Fuente's team will now head to Los Angeles Stadium to play yet another European team, Belgium, which defeated the main host, the USA, 4-1. Though the USA fielded Balogun, the Belgians did not allow his presence to upset their game plan.
The first half between Portugal and Spain was shot-high but goal-shy. Mikel Oyarzabal spurned Spain's best chance, pulling his attempt wide after Dani Olmo sent him clean through, while Diogo Costa did brilliantly to tip Alex Baena's curler around the post. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was the main threat for Portugal, came closest when Nuno Mendes' deflected drive rattled the crossbar.
Both sides were extra cautious in the second period. Just as the game was on the verge of going to extra time, Spain produced a superb move. Two substitutes combined as Ferran Torres set up Merino to settle the contest with a powerful and precise low finish. The final whistle seemingly marked the end of Ronaldo's time on football's biggest stage.
"This will be my last World Cup," he reiterated in a pre-match interaction. The 41-year-old scored 11 goals in 27 games and set multiple milestones, including becoming the first man to score in six editions.
Unrattled by the Balogun controversy, Belgium had packed too many surprises in its armory against the USA. Two goals in the first half, in the ninth and 32nd minutes, by Charles de Ketelaere made clear the intentions of the Belgians.
Though the home team hit back in the 37th minute through Malik Tillman, it did not deter the Europeans from continuing to look for more goals.
Hans Vanaken made it 3-1 in the 57th minute. As the game was heading to a close, Romelu Lukaku added another in the third minute of stoppage time to make it 4-1 and complete the elimination of all three co-hosts before the tournament entered the quarterfinal stage.
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