Onana ruptures ACL as Belgium beat USA 4-1 to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Amadou Onana’s World Cup is over after the Aston Villa and Belgium midfielder ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Belgium’s 4-1 last-16 victory over the United States in Seattle. The 24-year-old went down without contact in the first half, his knee buckling as he twisted, and was later seen returning to the Belgian bench on crutches wearing a knee brace. An ACL injury typically requires at least six months of recovery, meaning Onana will also miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 club season.

Onana’s absence cast a shadow over what was otherwise a commanding Belgian performance. Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring with a tap-in in the ninth minute, capitalising on a nervy US start that quickly silenced the partisan home crowd at Seattle Stadium. Malik Tillman levelled in the 31st minute with a deflected free kick that wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois, but De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead just over a minute later with a back-post header.

The United States grew into the game after the interval and played with greater authority until a costly error from goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted substitute Hans Vanaken a goal in the 57th minute, effectively ending the contest. Romelu Lukaku added a fourth in stoppage time to send the home supporters towards the exits and confirm Belgium’s place in the quarter-finals.

The match was also overshadowed by FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend a ban on US forward Folarin Balogun, a ruling that drew widespread scrutiny ahead of kick-off.

The victory sends Belgium into the quarter-finals for the third time in the last four World Cups. They will face European champions Spain in Los Angeles on Friday.