USA turned over by Belgium, as Spain end Ronaldo’s World Cup career

Summary of USA turned over by Belgium, as Spain end Ronaldo’s World Cup career

by The Athletic

36m•July 7, 2026
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Overview of Totally at the World Cup by The Athletic

This episode recaps a dramatic knockout round at the World Cup, headlined by Belgium’s emphatic 4-1 win over the United States and Spain ending Portugal’s run with a late Mikel Merino winner. The hosts are now out, Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career is over, and Brazil also exit after a shock defeat to Norway. The show also looks ahead to Tuesday’s matches, with Argentina vs. Egypt and Switzerland vs. Colombia.

Key Results and Big Storylines

Belgium 4, United States 1

  • Belgium delivered the most convincing performance of the day and advanced with ease.
  • The US briefly equalized, but Belgium responded almost immediately and then pulled away.
  • The defining moment was Belgium’s third goal: a mistake-heavy sequence involving the US goalkeeper and defense, capped by a finish from a loose ball into an empty net.
  • The panel felt Belgium finally found the right formula under Roberto Martínez, with smart selections and midfield structure making the difference.

Spain 1, Portugal 0

  • Spain beat Portugal in a tight, tactical match decided by Mikel Merino’s late winner.
  • Spain remained unbeaten defensively, extending their remarkable run without conceding at the tournament.
  • Portugal struggled to break Spain down, and the loss brought a likely end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
  • The hosts and Portugal are now out, intensifying the sense of a major tournament turning point.

Brazil 1, Norway 2

  • Brazil were also eliminated, with frustration growing around how the team and Carlo Ancelotti handled the match.
  • Neymar’s involvement remains a major talking point, especially the way Brazil’s structure changed after his introduction.
  • The discussion framed the result as a sign that Brazil still have deeper structural issues to solve, especially defensively.

Tactical and Player Takeaways

Belgium

  • Rudy García earned praise for sticking with a specific setup and making the right personnel choices.
  • The midfield balance and compact defensive shape made it hard for the USA to play through.
  • Belgium’s bench depth mattered: by the time key attackers were introduced, the game was already under control.

United States

  • The US were described as nervous, distracted, and below their best.
  • Their biggest weaknesses — goalkeeper uncertainty and defensive errors — were exposed under pressure.
  • The hosts’ exit was portrayed as a harsh but fair reflection of their current level.

Spain

  • Spain’s win was credited to patience, structure, and one decisive moment from Merino.
  • The team looks more like its older, control-heavy versions again, rather than the more vertical side seen at Euro 2024.
  • Their clean-sheet run was highlighted as historically significant.

Cristiano Ronaldo and the End of an Era

  • Ronaldo’s World Cup journey ended with Portugal’s elimination.
  • The panel argued that Portugal’s failure was partly tied to over-reliance on Ronaldo and manager Roberto Martínez’s approach.
  • His international legacy is now framed around:
    • the 2016 Euros title,
    • strong early World Cup showings,
    • but no deep late-era World Cup success.

Looking Ahead to Tuesday

Argentina vs. Egypt

  • Argentina are expected to respond after a shaky previous outing.
  • Lionel Messi is chasing another scoring milestone, with the possibility of extending a remarkable World Cup scoring streak.
  • Egypt are respected for reaching this stage but were not viewed as overwhelming favorites.

Switzerland vs. Colombia

  • Switzerland were described as quietly excellent and highly organized.
  • Colombia impressed with defensive solidity and few mistakes, but the Swiss may be a more serious test than they first appear.
  • Possible availability concerns for key Swiss players were noted, which could swing the matchup.

Main Takeaways

  • Belgium looked like a genuine contender with a complete performance against the USA.
  • Spain advanced as one of the tournament’s most controlled teams, still conceding nothing.
  • Ronaldo’s World Cup story is likely finished, and Portugal’s exit felt symbolic.
  • Brazil’s elimination raises bigger questions about squad structure, not just one match.
  • The quarterfinal race is tightening, with several traditional powers already gone.