Pulisic limps off in tears as injury-hit USA crash out of World Cup 4-1 to Belgium

Christian Pulisic was in tears on the touchline after being forced off with a suspected ankle injury as the United States were eliminated from their home World Cup, beaten 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle. The defeat ended a tournament that had been defined by the AC Milan forward’s recurring fitness troubles.

Pulisic had already missed large portions of the group stage after picking up a calf problem in the opener against Paraguay, which cut his evening short at half-time in Los Angeles. He recovered sufficiently to start the round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but his luck ran out again in the last-16 tie when he caught Youri Tielemans’ boot while attempting to shoot. After lying on the pitch briefly, he was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter in the 59th minute, visibly distressed as team-mates moved in to console him.

His withdrawal came just two minutes after the USA fell 3-1 down in calamitous fashion. Goalkeeper Matt Freese was dispossessed outside his own area, allowing Hans Vanaken to fire into an empty net from distance and effectively end the contest.

US head coach Mauricio Pochettino said he believed Pulisic had twisted his ankle and expressed hope the damage was not serious ahead of the forward’s return to AC Milan for the 2026-27 season.

Folarin Balogun started for the USA after FIFA controversially suspended his red-card ban following a request from US president Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Belgium’s appeal against Balogun’s eligibility was denied before kick-off, but the Monaco striker’s inclusion made little difference. The USA’s only goal came from a deflected Malik Tillman free-kick, with Belgium running out comfortable 4-1 winners.

Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals, though they may be sweating on the fitness of Amadou Onana, who was withdrawn early in the match and later seen on crutches wearing a knee brace after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury.