Belgium made its feelings clear on the World Cup’s most controversial storyline, trolling the United States with a two-word caption after knocking the co-hosts out of the tournament.
The Red Devils beat the US 4-1 in the round of 16 on Monday, July 6, at Lumen Field in Seattle. Moments after full time, Belgium’s official account posted an image of the players celebrating with the caption “Overturn this.”
The post referred to FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card ban a day before the match. Balogun received the red card during the United States’ round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Wednesday, July 1, after stepping on the ankle of defender Tarik Muharemović during a challenge. The automatic punishment should have ruled him out against Belgium, but FIFA cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code and suspended the ban for a one year probationary period, clearing him to play.
The reversal took place after it emerged that US President Donald Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to discuss the suspension. Trump defended the decision when asked about it in the end Oval Office. “I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” he told reporters. “I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled,” he said.
The ruling drew fierce criticism from across the football world. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision. UEFA said in a statement that the move “crossed a red line” and added, “We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”
Belgium boss Rudi Garcia addressed the situation before kickoff and insisted his focus stayed on the game itself. “We’re not defending the national team or federation,” Garcia said. “We’re defending in football. It’s the first time in World Cup history that such a decision is taken. I am a head coach, I will focus on my team, on tomorrow’s game. Regardless of the 11 starting players from the U.S., I will focus on my team.”
On the pitch, Balogun started for the US but could not make an impact. Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes after a deflected cross found him at the back post. Malik Tillman pulled the U.S. level in the 31st minute with a deflected free kick, before De Ketelaere struck again two minutes later to put Belgium back in front. Hans Vanaken added a third in the second half after another American defensive error, and Romelu Lukaku, brought on from the bench, sealed the 4-1 win with a goal in second-half stoppage time.
Lukaku’s goal sparked another jab at the United States. Several Belgium players gathered together and mimicked Trump’s signature dance from his campaign rallies as part of the celebration.
Balogun did get one clear chance to make his return count. He broke through on goal late in the match but saw his effort saved by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Monday’s result reversed the two nations’ only previous World Cup meeting. Belgium beat the United States 2-1 in the 2014 round of 16, with all three goals coming in extra time and USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard setting a World Cup record with 16 saves.
Belgium will now face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 10, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Spain reached the same stage earlier in the day by beating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0.
Belgium is chasing an improvement on its best World Cup finish, third place in 2018.
