World Cup highlights: USA bow out as last hosts standing as Merino sends Spain through

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Here's what happened on day 26 of the World Cup.

As usual, check out yesterday's World Cup highlights here.

The headlines

After a 36-hour furore over the reinstatement of Folarin Balogun to the US starting lineup, Belgium had the last laugh as they cruised into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 thrashing of an overawed USA in Seattle.

Two first-half goals from Charles De Ketelaere, a long ranger from Hans Vanaken and a late strike from Romelu Lukaku sealed the win for the Red Devils, denying the co-hosts a place in the last eight.

Malik Tillman netted another free kick in the first half to give his side hope, but it was not enough for them to make the quarters for the first time since 2002. Tillman did make some history, however, becoming just the second player to score two direct free-kicks at a World Cup - the first was Bernard Genghini at the 1982 edition of the tournament.

The win for the Red Devils has set up a quarter-final clash with Spain, who left it late to beat Iberian rivals Portugal 1-0 in Dallas.

Mikel Merino came off the bench to score in stoppage time, continuing La Roja’s remarkable run at the World Cup. They have won every game to make it to the last eight, whilst also not conceding a goal.

Because of their defensive solidity, Unai Simon became the first goalkeeper in World Cup history to keep six consecutive clean sheets.

It was a poignant afternoon for Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old was on the periphery of the action throughout the contest and was unable to lead his side to victory, all but ending his World Cup career. There was also a departure in the dugout, as Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martinez, announced his resignation from the post immediately after the match, stating it didn’t make sense for him to continue in the role.

Goal of the day

Belgium’s Vanaken would not have believed his luck when USA goalkeeper Matt Freese was forced into a terrible mistake by De Ketelaere. 

The ball rolled right into his path, but he still had a lot of work to do despite Freese being stranded outside of his box. The midfielder, who had come on as a first-half substitute, is not known primarily for his goals, but the strike from 35 yards beat the keeper and Tim Ream to find the bottom corner. It was a big goal, as it gave his side a two-goal cushion in the match.

He also becomes their oldest goalscorer, at 33, in the knockout stage - ageing like fine wine.

Player of the day

It has been a tournament of frustration for Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere. Playing in an unfamiliar role as a lone striker, he has struggled to make an impact with Romelu Lukaku coming off the bench to overshadow him.

However, against the USA, he was on top form, notching a 9.4 Flashscore player rating, thanks to a brace in the early going. Both goals showed a striker’s instinct. The first, a tap-in from close range, gave him the opportunity to get in between the two centre-backs, whilst he was strong in rising above Tim Ream to head home the second.

He has always been known as someone good on the ball, and he showcased that too, with an 88% pass completion rate as well as three key passes, including a fortuitous assist for Vanaken’s strike.

Keeping Lukaku out of the team is no easy feat, and De Ketelaere repaid the faith shown in him by manager Rudi Garcia to lead his side into the last eight.

Best from social media

As Spain beat Portugal in Dallas, spare a thought for streamer iShowSpeed. The now famous fan of Cristiano Ronaldo has been all over the United States following him, and he could not hold in the emotion, whilst live, after Ronaldo was ousted from the World Cup.