The United States men's national team was eliminated from the World Cup in the round of 16 after a 4-1 defeat against Belgium at Lumen Field. The result came despite the return of Folarin Balogun to the starting lineup and ended the Americans’ monthlong run in the tournament.

Charles De Ketelaere scored twice for Belgium, while Hans Vanaken capitalized on a miscue from U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese. Romelu Lukaku added a late goal in stoppage time off another giveaway to seal the result.

This was the fourth time in the past five World Cups that the United States has exited in the round of 16, the lone exception being 2018, when the team did not qualify. Belgium also defeated the U.S. in the 2014 World Cup, though that meeting was much closer.

"We were not the same team that during the tournament showed the quality," U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match. "Very bad day. Wasn't our day in a collective and individual way. And we need to accept that sometimes this type of thing happens. But in a tournament like the World Cup, when that happens, you don't have another chance."

Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement

The U.S. entered the knockout stage after an impressive group performance and a victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32, where Balogun was sent off and the team played with 10 men for over 30 minutes. That win raised hopes of reaching only the second quarterfinal in program history.

Instead, the team struggled throughout the match. Christian Pulisic turned the ball over 11 times in the first half, more than any other player on the field. Coach Pochettino substituted Sergiño Dest at halftime due to difficulties on the right side. Balogun, who had scored three goals and forced an own goal earlier in the tournament, was largely ineffective against Belgium.

"Tonight was not a good performance probably overall," midfielder Tyler Adams said. "It's not what we look to achieve. There was a lot of things that we could have done better. I think when you concede goals that easily against the team of that quality and that caliber, it's going to be difficult.

"We gave them good chances or even half chances and they finished them. It was just a little bit too easy today. So again, this was a moment to have the opportunity to advance and really try and do something special, but we fell short."

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Much of the pre-match discussion surrounded Balogun’s suspension situation. President Donald Trump and other White House officials credited themselves for helping U.S. Soccer persuade FIFA to adjust the one-game suspension typically applied after a red card. The issue generated debate over fairness and precedent.

After the match, Adams said that the situation did not affect the team. "I don't think that noise or anything affected us by any means," Adams said. "If anything, it probably uplifted us in a sense."

Balogun received a large cheer during warmups, and the crowd delivered a spirited rendition of the national anthem before kickoff. However, Belgium took control early. Within the first minute, Timothy Castagne forced Freese into a diving save from long range. The U.S. midfield struggled to find rhythm.

After just nine minutes, Leandro Trossard started an attack from the left that ended with Nicolas Raskin centering the ball for De Ketelaere, who scored from close range between Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson. It was the first time the U.S. had conceded the opening goal in this World Cup.

The U.S. equalized briefly when Malik Tillman’s free kick deflected off the Belgian wall and found the net. Tillman became only the second player in the past 60 years to score two free-kick goals in a World Cup. The celebration lasted less than a minute. Fifty-two seconds after the equalizer, Trossard’s delivery from the left led to De Ketelaere’s second goal as he headed in a cross past Ream and Robinson.

In the second half, Gio Reyna replaced Dest, but the Americans failed to create momentum. Belgium’s third goal came after Freese mishandled a pass over the top. His attempted clearance deflected directly to Vanaken, who lofted a 30-yard shot into the net. Ream tried to intervene but could not prevent the goal.

Freese stood with his hands on his head as Ream bent at the waist, and the Belgian supporters celebrated. Lukaku’s stoppage-time strike completed the 4-1 win, ending the U.S. campaign in familiar fashion — a round of 16 exit.

The Real MOU: What Trump’s Iran Agreement Actually Says – Truth Thursday | EP 677

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.