The US are out of the 2026 World Cup after getting trounced 4-1 by Belgium in their round 16 clash on Tuesday.
The co-hosts were swept aside by Charles De Ketelaere’s
brace and goals from Hans Vaneken and Romelu Lukaku, despite the controversial
presence of Folarin Balogun in the US team’s starting line-up.
Malik Tillman pulled one back for the Americans, but the
gulf in quality between the two sides was so apparent despite the home crowd
support at Seattle Stadium.
Balogun, who scored three goals for the US at the World Cup,
and the saga surrounding a one-match ban were the focal points of global
discussions ahead of the game.
The 25-year-old striker had received a red card in the US
previous game and was supposed to be out of the Belgium match. But US President
Donald Trump asked FIFA to review Balogun’s ban, and the football governing
body controversially gave the American a reprieve. The decision sparked
global backlash against FIFA, with UEFA describing it as “unjustifiable” and
the Belgian FA vowing to challenge the ruling.
US fans share none of the global outrage, cheering loudly
when Balogun’s name was announced in the starting lineup. But their excitement
was quelled as early as the ninth minute when De Ketelaere tapped the ball home
from close range after Nicolas Raskin’s cross.
The US felt they were back into the game in the 31st minute
after Balogun was fouled at the edge of the box and Tillman stepped up to bury
the resultant free-kick.
Two minutes later, Belgium were back in the lead again. De
Ketelaere scored his second of the match, meeting Leandro Trossard’s cross and
comfortably out-jumping an off-balance Tim Ream.
Then Vanaken and Lukaku each added a goal, sending Belgium
into the quarter-final tie against Spain on July 10.
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