Belgium celebrated a stunning 4-1 win over the United States at Seattle Stadium with a dance routine mimicking President Donald Trump’s signature moves in what seemed a deliberate dig.
The Red Devils knocked the USA out of their home World Cup, capitalising on three defensive blunders before adding a fourth late on to wrap up a commanding win. Tempers were already fraying ahead of kick-off after FIFA controversially permitted USA striker Folarin Balogun to feature despite receiving a red card in the previous round.
Trump publicly backed FIFA’s ruling at the Oval Office on Monday, and admitted to having spoken with Gianni Infantino prior to the lifted suspension being announced.
Belgium were incensed and demanded answers while threatening further action, yet ultimately let their feet – and their dancing – do the talking, as Trump was filmed boarding a plane and departing the country while the embarrassment played out.
Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere netted twice in the first half, either side of Malik Tillman’s free-kick for the USA. Hans Vanaken then slotted into an empty net to put Belgium 3-1 up after the break, before Romelu Lukaku struck a late fourth and celebrated in Trump’s style.
It was a cruel twist of the knife, given that Trump and the entire Balogun controversy had threatened to overshadow proceedings before a ball had even been kicked. Belgium had prepared for the last-16 clash expecting Balogun to sit it out, only for FIFA to dramatically reverse their decision at the eleventh hour.
The decision which resulted in Balogun receiving a straight red card in the Round of 32 proved contentious, while FIFA’s agreement to suspend his ban also attracted scrutiny. Infantino’s ties with Trump raised alarm bells, with questions emerging over integrity.
Belgium players appeared to copy the US President’s infamous dance(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
While Infantino released a statement addressing the matter, Belgium sought to contest Balogun’s eligibility. FIFA deemed the challenge as “inadmissible,” as Belgium demanded clarification.
Belgium subsequently warned of potential action should Balogun feature in Monday’s match, and the USA striker was included in the starting line-up. “This leaves all further actions open,” the Royal Belgian Football Association said.
“To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure.”
Addressing the messy situation after the USA’s exit, Balogun said: “When you’re given a red card, usually the protocol is you don’t play in the following game. Then, when that decision’s overturned, of course, it’s going to be controversial.
Folarin Balogun addressed his ban overturn after the match(Image: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
“So it didn’t really surprise me too much. But as a player my job is just to go out there and focus on my job. And I’m disappointed we weren’t able to win today.”
He added: “I accepted the decision when I was given the red card, and then I also accepted the decision when I was told I could play. There’s not too much else I can really say on the on the matter. All that being said, Belgium were the better team today. They played much better than us.”
Beyond the celebration at full-time, the official Belgium football account delivered another sharp message aimed at FIFA and the USMNT. “Overturn this,” the account posted, accompanied by a graphic displaying the 4-1 scoreline.
Belgium thrashed USA to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup
While Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois turned the knife further, saying: “I felt a bit more certain today that we would win than against Senegal, if I may be honest. They were a stronger team than the US, and that was evident today.”
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said the Balogun situation helped fire up his side: “Let’s be honest: we held a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said of the Balogun controversy.
“We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That’s what we did today. I’m very proud of the team.”
His Belgium teammate Nicolas Raskin admitted: “There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field.”
Manager Rudi Garcia paid tribute to the player at the centre of the controversy after holding talks with him: “He [Balogun] came to talk to me. I really liked that. It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame, I told him that. I appreciate the intention of him speaking to me.”
Belgium manager Rudi Garcia said Balogun spoke to him at the end of the match(Image: ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Belgium will now meet Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals, with the victors progressing to face either France or Morocco. The USA are out at the round of 16 stage, mirroring 2022 when they suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino had been hoping to guide the host nation on a deep run at the tournament, with the semi-finals set as an unofficial benchmark. Pochettino’s contract expires this summer and he is yet to reveal his next move.
“In the next weeks, we can start to talk if the federation wants to talk,” he told reporters. “Right now, it’s about resting a little bit, to think, have conversations with the federation to see what the decision is. I’m so happy. We’ve built a very good relationship, now is not a moment to talk about (my future).”
