“Overturn this” — this was the biting response from the Belgian Football Federation after the elimination of the United States team from the World Cup, in a humiliating defeat of 4-1 against Belgium in Seattle. The feeling of injustice that hung over the Belgian delegation, following the surprising decision to overturn the red card of Folarin Balogun — allegedly influenced by a phone call from Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino — reached its peak when the Red Devils secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Spain.
Charles de Ketelaere stood out with two goals, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku also found the back of the net. Balogun, whose inclusion sparked controversy in the hours leading up to the match, ended up playing a secondary role in a game dominated by the Belgian side, which made sure to mock the controversy both on and off the pitch.
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The explosive atmosphere was felt from the initial whistle, but it was on social media that the Belgian Football Federation launched the most direct attack, posting the message “overturn this” after the final whistle. On the pitch, the provocation continued, with Belgian players mimicking Trump's iconic dance after Lukaku's goal, in a clear allusion to the political influence that loomed over the Balogun case.
Nicolas Raskin, the Belgian midfielder, explained after the match how the group dealt with the situation: “A lot happened off the field in these two days. We felt injustice within the group and we were determined to respond on the pitch,” said the player, highlighting the extra motivation that the controversy generated in the locker room.
Despite the controversy, Balogun was not directly involved in the decision and, as revealed by Belgian coach Rudi Garcia, made a point of visiting the opposing locker room after the final whistle. “I really liked that gesture. It's not his fault, he has no responsibility for what happened, and that’s what I conveyed to him,” Garcia clarified, praising the forward's attitude.
On the American side, coach Mauricio Pochettino tried to downplay the influence of the Balogun case on his team's performance, describing the defeat as “a bad day.” “It did not affect our performance. It is not an excuse. We did not rise to the occasion; it was not our day. We did not show the quality we should have. Everything that happened around the Balogun situation was external, but it was not something that affected us as a group,” Pochettino assured after the final whistle.
Midfielder Tyler Adams shared the same opinion: “When it happened, it was as much a surprise to us as it was to you. I don't think the noise or anything else affected us. If anything, it even motivated us,” said the American player.
With the contract coming to an end, Pochettino refused to provide details about the future: “Now is not the time to talk about that. It is time to evaluate the tournament. In the coming weeks we can talk, if the federation wants. This team has shown it can compete, with many young players of great potential. It is important to continue believing in this process,” concluded the Argentine coach.
The controversy surrounding Balogun ended up overshadowing the performance of the US national team, which recorded one of its weakest displays during the Pochettino era, paving the way for Belgium's relentless response, both on the field and on social media.
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