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Belgium crushed the American party in Seattle, advancing to the round of 16 with a 4-1 victory over the United States, putting on an offensive clinic that abruptly ended the World Cup co-hosts’ dream.
This is the second time that Belgium has eliminated the United States in the round of 16, the first time in Brazil in 2014.
FOX Sports soccer analysts Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry offered mixed but candid reactions after the match. Ibrahimović kept his assessment simple, however, saying the United States had been beaten by the better team and had gone as far as they realistically could in the tournament.
“They faced a better team,” Ibrahimović said. “They’re better than the U.S. when you look at the log and the game. I think it was the worst game the U.S. has had, but they played a worthy opponent.”
Despite the defeat, Ibrahimović also considered the tournament a success for the United States. At the same time, he suggested that the loss served as a reality check on the program’s current situation.
“Today’s result is not good, but in the end I think it was good,” Ibrahimović said. “They did their best in this tournament. Yes, you can get lucky and go further, but I think it was a reality check for the United States.”
Henry, on the other hand, was disappointed with the United States’ performance.
While Belgium’s four goals were concerning, he was more critical of the Americans’ lack of offensive threat and their inability to keep pace offensively.
“I wanted to see a different team when they were down to zero and couldn’t respond,” Henry said. “In the end, the third goal changed everything because it looked like they were going to come back.”
Despite playing at home, the United States suffered a brutal exit and Henry didn’t hold back. He delivered a sobering truth, stating that the team’s performance against Belgium virtually guaranteed elimination.
“When you plan to go out like that, you’re not going anywhere,” Henry said.
