Day 24 Recap: Merino Ends Ronaldo’s World Cup Run as Belgium Beat USA 4-1

Two Round of 16 matches on Day 24 brought dramatic exits and emphatic wins. In Dallas, Spain edged out Portugal in injury time when Arsenal’s Mikel Merino struck to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s bid for a World Cup title. In Seattle, Belgium delivered a statement performance, overcoming the USA 4-1. Despite a late intervention by FIFA, pressured by political figures, to clear Folarin Balogun to play, the hosts could only briefly level before Charles De Ketelaere, Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku sealed a commanding victory. These results confirm Spain and Belgium in the quarterfinals and signal the end of Ronaldo’s World Cup journey and the USA’s home hopes.

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