Belgium Coach Dealt Unfortunate News After Eliminating USMNT

Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana with crutches and a brace on his knee after match against USMNT.IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Blake Dahlin

Belgium Coach Dealt Unfortunate News After Eliminating USMNT

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jul 7, 2026 7:30 AM ET

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Belgium kept its FIFA World Cup dream alive on Monday with an emphatic 4-1 victory over the United States in the Round of 16. Charles De Ketelaere starred with a brace against the USMNT, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku also found the net as the Red Devils booked a quarterfinal showdown with Spain. It was one of Belgium’s most complete performances of the tournament and extended its unbeaten run.

The result, however, came at a cost. Belgium was forced into an early change after midfielder Amadou Onana went down in visible pain with a knee injury in the 20th minute. The Aston Villa star was unable to continue and was replaced by Vanaken.

Although Belgium celebrated its progression, concern immediately shifted toward Onana after he was later seen on crutches with a brace on his right leg.

Those fears were confirmed after the match. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Onana has suffered a ruptured ACL and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The injury is devastating for Belgium as it prepares to face a Spain side that has yet to concede a goal in this tournament. Onana has become one of the team’s most important midfielders thanks to his physicality, ball-winning ability and athleticism. Losing the 24-year-old at this stage of the tournament leaves manager Rudi Garcia with a significant hole to fill against one of the competition’s strongest sides.

It is an equally significant setback for Aston Villa. The Premier League club had entered the transfer window without plans to recruit another defensive midfielder, per Ornstein.

Amadou Onana set for spell on sidelines after suffering ACL rupture in #Belgium win over #USMNT at #FIFAWorldCup. Huge blow for 24yo midfielder, national team & Aston Villa. #AVFC did not plan to recruit in that area but will now reassess @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/ifZiTZYRi9
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 7, 2026

Aston Villa expected Onana to play a central role alongside Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans next season. Instead, Unai Emery’s side may now be forced back into the market after losing one of Villa’s most influential players for an extended period.

This also continues an unfortunate trend for Onana, who has battled hamstring, calf and knee problems over the past two seasons before this latest, more serious setback.

Belgium will face Spain on Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and live coverage on Fox.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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