DALLAS : Charles De Ketelaere was the star for Belgium, scoring twice in the first half as the Red Devils ended the hopes of the tournament co-hosts. Spain, meanwhile, needed a dramatic stoppage-time strike from substitute Mikel Merino to beat Portugal 1-0 in a tense Iberian derby in Dallas.

Belgium made a fast start against the United States, with De Ketelaere opening the scoring in the ninth minute. The hosts hit back in the 31st minute when Malik Tillman scored from a free-kick to briefly raise hopes of a comeback.

However, Belgium restored their lead almost immediately, with De Ketelaere netting his second goal in the 33rd minute.

The Red Devils took firm control after the break as Hans Vanaken made it 3-1 in the 57th minute. Romelu Lukaku then added the fourth goal in second-half stoppage time to complete an emphatic win and send Belgium into the last eight.

In Dallas, Spain and Portugal played out a cautious and closely contested encounter, with both teams limiting clear scoring chances for much of the match.

Just as the game appeared set to head into extra time, substitute Mikel Merino struck in the first minute of stoppage time to hand Spain a dramatic 1-0 victory. Merino had come on late in the match and delivered the decisive moment to send Spain through.

Spain will now face Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday, with both sides carrying momentum after contrasting but memorable victories in the round of 16.

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