World Cup: Disastrous U.S. sequence with goalie Matt Freese out of box allows Belgium to double lead in 4-1 win

After a rough first half against Belgium on Monday night, USA remained a goal away in the second from equalizing while trailing, 2-1.

But a disastrous sequence shortly out of the break allowed Belgium to double its lead to 3-1 en route to a dominant 4-1 win in Seattle that ended USA's World Cup run.

Second-half sequence dooms USA

In the 57th minute, Belgium booted a deep ball from its own territory toward the U.S. goal. Three U.S. players gave chase alongside Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere with a chance to take control of the ball.

But U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese stepped several feet beyond the box in an effort to corral it himself. Except he didn't.

De Ketelaere kicked the ball loose from Freese after Freese planted his left toe in the dirt in a missed effort to kick the ball. Belgium's Hans Vanaken then took control with only U.S. defender Tim Ream standing anywhere near the goal.

Ream couldn't block the ball, and it rolled in slowly for a Belgium goal that sucked the life out of Seattle's Lumen Field crowd.

Replay showed that Ream had a chance to block the ball, but lifted his left leg while off balance just as it cleared below his foot.

It added up to a disaster for USA in terms of decision making and execution as Belgium scored with Freese nowhere close to his place in goal. And it continued what had already been a rough day for Ream, who was on the wrong end of Belgium's previous two goals.

Rough day for Ream, USA

Belgium stunned USA early and was in control of the game from the opening minutes. It converted that control into a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute as USA's defense collapsed near the box.

Nicolas Raskin delivered a cross from the left side that De Ketelaere converted to the back of the net with little resistance. Ream stood nearly frozen as Raskin's pass rolled in front of him to De Ketelaere's right foot.

Then in the 33rd minute, De Ketelaere scored again. This time, Leandro Trossard delivered a cross from the left baseline that De Ketelaere headed in past Freese.

Replay shows that Ream had position to put his head on the ball first. But De Ketelaere outmuscled him from behind to get his head on the ball over the top of Ream's.

Belgium went on to add an insurance goal late, capping a dominant performance and a disappointing effort from USA with a trip to the quarterfinals at stake.

With the win, Belgium advances to take on Spain in a quarterfinal matchup on Friday. USA, meanwhile, sees its dream World Cup on home soil come to a difficult end.