BELGIUM THRASH HOST USA 4-1 TO REACH FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUARTER-FINALS

 

SEATTLE – Belgium secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after crushing the United States 4-1 in their Round of 16 clash, eliminating the host nation from the tournament.

Belgium took an early lead in the ninth minute through Charles De Ketelaere. The United States responded in the 31st minute when Tillman found the net to level the score at 1-1. However, Belgium restored their advantage just two minutes later as De Ketelaere scored his second goal of the match, giving his side a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Belgium extended their lead 12 minutes into the second half when Vina Ken capitalized on an error by the American goalkeeper to make it 3-1.

Despite trailing by two goals, the United States continued to push forward in search of a comeback, but they were unable to break through Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who produced a series of important saves.

Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku sealed Belgium’s victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time, confirming a convincing 4-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals.

The match followed controversy surrounding US forward Folarin Balogun. Reports said Balogun received a red card during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 and was handed a one-match suspension under FIFA regulations.

Ahead of the Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 7, his suspension was lifted following a recommendation from US President Donald Trump, a decision that sparked controversy.

Despite Balogun’s availability, the United States was unable to avoid elimination.

- Muhammad Mahmood

FORMER FOOTBALLER FROM ZAÏRE (NOW DR CONGO) AND FATHER OF ROMELU LUKAKU HAS PASSED AWAY

'Life will never be the same again' - Romelu Lukaku removes all Instagram posts with Napoli striker in mourning after his father passes away aged 58

Romelu Lukaku is in mourning after the passing of his father, Roger, at just 58. The Napoli striker, currently sidelined with injury, removed all Instagram posts and left a single tribute to his late father. Lukaku, who played a key role in Napoli’s title-winning campaign last season, now faces a period of personal grief alongside his road to recovery.

Getty Images Sport

A family tragedy for the Lukakus

Lukaku has announced the death of his father Roger, who passed away at the age of 58. The Napoli striker, joined by his brother Jordan, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, writing: “Life will never be the same again.” 

Lukaku's emotional gesture on Instagram for his father

As part of his mourning, the Belgian striker has since deleted all previous posts from his profile, leaving only a picture with his father. In it, he thanked Roger for protecting and guiding him, admitting the pain “flows like rivers.” The symbolic act underlines the depth of his grief during what is already a testing period due to injury. 

Lukaku posted on his Instagram profile in memory of his father: "Thank you for teaching me everything I know. I will always be grateful and appreciate you. Life will never be the same again. You protected and guided me like no one else could have done. I will never be the same again. The pain and tears are flowing freely. But God will give me the strength to get back up. Thank you for everything."

The man who shaped his sons’ careers

Roger Lukaku, a former striker for Zaire who also played in Belgium and Turkey, had a complicated yet influential role in his sons’ lives. Though his relationship with Romelu and Jordan suffered following his divorce, Roger expressed his hopes of reconciliation in 2023, saying: "I hope this article reopens the floodgates. I feel like one day things will be okay again, because the current situation is hurting me so much." Despite past struggles, Romelu credited him for teaching him “everything I know.”

What lies ahead for Lukaku and Napoli

Lukaku who delivered 14 goals and 10 assists in Serie A last season, is currently recovering from a thigh injury that could rule him out until early 2026. Napoli will hope he can return fully fit, but for now, football takes a back seat as their No.9 focuses on family, healing, and eventually finding strength to step back on the pitch.

Additional reporting by Stefano Silvestri.

- Chirayu Parmar

ANTONIO CONTE UNDER PRESSURE JUST MINUTES AFTER SECURING SERIE A TITLE WITH NAPOLI AS PRESIDENT SENDS BOSS WARNING AMID WILD STREET CELEBRATIONS

Antonio Conte has become the first man to win the Italian title with three different teams

• Napoli win Scudetto for the fourth time after pipping Inter Milan on the final day

• Antonio wins Serie A Coach of the Year but that doesn't impress his president!

Antonio Conte had barely time to bask in winning the Serie A title with Napoli before he was put in his place by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager became the first man to win the Italian title with three different teams as his side saw off Cagliari 2-0 with goals from Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku on the final day. 

The result sees Napoli top Serie A by a point after second-place Inter Milan matched their result at Como. 

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is already thinking ahead to next season's targets

Napoli's fourth ever title — and their second in three years  — prompted wild celebrations on the streets of the southern Italian city as smoke bombs, fireworks, and passionate chants filled the air.

The achievement saw Conte crowned as Serie A Coach of the Year but that did not spare him from being immediately put under pressure by his boss who is already starting to think about next season.

Napoli did not play in Europe this season, a consequence of last year's miserable title defence which saw them finish 10th.  

Le scene dei festeggiamenti per la vittoria del campionato del Napoli, stanno facendo il giro del mondo, per la gioia dei milioni di tifosi emigrati. #NapoliCagliari#Napoli #Scudetto #CampioneDItalia #SerieA pic.twitter.com/UMwNKR0WZU

— Marco Ferraglioni (@MFerraglioni) May 23, 2025

And De Laurentiis is hungry for the Neapolitans to get their hands on a first European trophy since the Diego Maradona-inspired UEFA Cup triumph in 1989. 

Scott McTominay puts up four fingers to mark the number of titles won by the Neapolitans

'Never say never,' the 75-year-old told DAZN when asked if Conte was staying.

'Coaches have their own character that must be respected and in my view you should never oblige them under iron-clad contracts. Napoli is Napoli, it deserves respect. If he wants to put himself at the disposal of the club the way he has done this season, then we say welcome, we are ready to follow him like a great leader.

'Next year, I would be very pleased if he made his mark in the Champions League, which since they modified the format has become even more important.'

Napoli supporters party late into the night on the streets of the southern Italian city

Although that may seem a rather churlish way to speak about your league-winning manager to the backdrop of raucous Neapolitan celebration, De Laurentiis did temper those comments with some warm words about Conte. 

'It was not easy, but when I met Conte in the Maldives and many years ago we went swimming together, I was struck by his mentality,' De Laurentiis said.

'I approached him in November 2023 and asked him to come straight away, but very professionally, he said he didn’t build that team, so it was best to wait until June so then we could do something really special together.'

McTominay sent Napoli toward their title triumph on Friday night by scoring a brilliant opening goal. The Scot signed from Man United last summer for £25million and has been a revelation in southern Italy, winning the Serie A Player of the Year award.

Back in Manchester, United boss Ruben Amorim was no doubt looking on with interest just 48 hours after his side were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in the Europa League final. Across the city, Kevin de Bruyne may also have taken note. 

It's quite the turnaround after the Partenopei finished 10th during last season's title defence

The Belgian legend will leave Man City this summer when his contract expires after a decade at the Etihad Stadium in which he has scored 108 goals and won 19 trophies, including the Champions League.

Napoli has been touted as a possible location for the 33-year-old but when De Laurentiis was asked if a move was on the cards, he was more circumspect with his words. 

'Let us not ask indiscreet questions,' he said.

'We are working to create an even stronger and more competitive squad. We have wonderful players right now and will add more of the highest level.'

- MailOnline Sport

NAPOLI SURVIVE SERIE A CLASH AGAINST ATALANTA WITH 3-2 WIN

 

ANKARA

Napoli survived an Italian Serie A week 21 clash against Atalanta with a 3-2 win Saturday.

Italian forward Mateo Retegui scored the first goal for the hosts in the 16th minute at Atalanta's Gewiss Stadium.

Italian winger Matteo Politano responded in kind in the 27th minute.

Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay brought the lead to Napoli in the 40th minute.

Atalanta's Nigerian attacker Ademola Lookman equalized in the 55th minute.

Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku tallied the winning goal for Napoli in the 78th minute.

Napoli cemented their top seat with 50 points, while Atalanta are in the third spot with 43 points.

- Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

YOUNGEST TO SCORE 50 PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS

 

$415M ROMELU LUKAKU

2011: Anderlecht ➡️ Chelsea—$17M

2013: Chelsea ➡️ Everton—$4M (loan)

2014: Chelsea ➡️ Everton—$40M

2017: Everton ➡️ Man Utd—$95M

2019: Man Utd ➡️ Inter—$83M

2021: Inter ➡️ Chelsea—$127M

2022: Chelsea ➡️ Inter—$9M (loan)

2023: Chelsea ➡️ Roma—$7M (loan)

2024: Chelsea ➡️ Napoli—$33M

$415M has been spent on Romelu Lukaku 💸

- BR Football

VICTOR OSIMHEN IN LIMBO AFTER CHELSEA DEADLINE DAY MOVE FAILS

Victor Osimhen 's future is in limbo after Chelsea failed to agree a deal to sign the Napoli striker before England's transfer deadline.

Sources have told ESPN that Osimhen that the Serie A club had accepted an €80 million ($88.5 million) offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli but the Nigeria international expressed doubts about leaving European football.

That left Chelsea in a position to potentially pounce, stepping up their longstanding interest in the 25-year-old as talks intensified over Thursday and Friday.

However, sources have told ESPN that a deal could not be reached in time.

Al Ahli also pursued a deal for Brentford striker Ivan Toney and with the Saudi club unable to register both forwards, it now appears Osimhen faces up to the prospect of waiting for another Middle East club to make a late move -- the Saudi Pro League window closes on September 2 -- or try to rebuild his relationships at Napoli.

Osimhen will have an uphill battle at Napoli after new head coach Antonio Conte successfully pushed the club to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in a £30 million ($39.4 million) deal.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

BELGIUM LOSS TEDESCO BRISTLES AT 'GOLDEN GENERATION' TAG

ANTON NOVODEREZHKIN/TASS

 After more than 25 minutes of questions to Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne and coach Domenico Tedesco on Sunday, the dreaded words "Golden Generation" had not yet been heard.

And then it happened -- with the very last question, to Tedesco, on the eve of his team's opening European Championship game against Slovakia.

"It's a typical German question about the Golden Generation," quipped Tedesco, who is Italian-born though a German citizen. "I was expecting that one."

One day, Belgium coaches and players will not be pulled back to the gilded crop of prospects who seemed sure to one day win an international title, and possibly should have at Euro 2016.

It's been a label, and a millstone, for Belgium since the 2008 Beijing Olympics where an emerging squad included Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini and Jan Vertonghen.

De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were maturing in the team that reached the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals. The Red Devils were stunned at the same stage of Euro 2016 by Wales despite extra established stars Thibaut Courtois in goal and Romelu Lukaku in attack.

Marc Wilmots left as coach and was replaced by Roberto Martinez, who is now at Euro 2024 with Portugal.

There were eliminations as the world's top-ranked team by eventual champions: in the 2018 World Cup semifinals against France, and a Euro 2020 quarterfinal match to Italy.

Then another stunner, failing to advance from the 2022 World Cup group stage in Qatar, albeit because eventual semifinalists Croatia and Morocco did.

"Qatar is over now. It was a disappointment, yes, but it was 18 months ago," De Bruyne said Sunday ahead of the playmaker's third attempt to win a European title. "It is a new tournament, a new coach. The team has changed quite a lot."

Since the World Cup, veterans like Hazard, Dries Mertens and Toby Alderweireld have retired from the national team. Courtois fell out with Tedesco and is not in Germany.

De Bruyne is still here with Vertonghen (37), Lukaku (31) and Axel Witsel (35). Another Manchester City star, winger Jérémy Doku, is already at his third major tournament at 22 and much is expected from 21-year-old Johan Bakayoko on the right flank.

Belgium are still ranked No. 3 by FIFA.

"I wouldn't say our squad is third in the world right now but in a tournament it doesn't even matter," said De Bruyne, whose 33rd birthday falls between the round of 16 and the quarterfinals.

"There are a lot of young players in the team and they're really motivated," De Bruyne said, whose team is strongly favored in Group E that also includes Ukraine and Romania.

The 38-year-old Tedesco, leading Belgium at a tournament for the first time, acknowledged there was a squad overhaul.

"There is huge quality among the young prospects, who are already ready for this stage," Tedesco said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.

- ESPN News Services

DORTMUND KEEN ON PERMANENT DEAL FOR IAN MAATSEN - SOURCES

Ian Maatsen played the full 90 minutes of Borussia Dortmund's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images

 Borussia Dortmund want to sign Ian Maatsen on a permanent basis but are reluctant to meet Chelsea's £35 million ($44.7m) valuation, sources have told ESPN.

The 22-year-old joined Dortmund on loan in January and became a key member of Edin Terzic's team, playing every minute of their seven Champions League knockout matches which culminated in last weekend's final defeat to Real Madrid at Wembley.

Prior to that game, Maatsen publicly admitted his future was uncertain and sources have told ESPN that Dortmund are keen to extend his stay in Germany after the full-back made 24 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals.

Chelsea are looking to recoup money through outgoing transfers to maintain compliance with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules and are willing to allow a number of fringe players to leave the club including Maatsen, Romelu Lukaku and Trevoh Chalobah.

However, sources have told ESPN that Chelsea's hopes of securing a lucrative deal for Maatsen's transfer is considered a stumbling block with Dortmund believed to be readying an opening offer considerably lower than that figure. One source suggested their initial offer would likely be between £20m to £25m.

Any deal that Chelsea want to form part of their 2023-24 accounting year must be completed by June 30 and Dortmund are hopeful that theoretical deadline could help them negotiate a lower transfer fee.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

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