From a challenge to “overturn” the result to a celebration that closely resembled the host team president’s signature dance moves, the United States’ World Cup dreams were not only put to rest in a crushing last-16 defeat against Belgium, but they were also at the center of social media ridicule following recent controversial events.
Belgium won 4-1 thanks to two goals from Charles de Ketelaer, but a controversial FIFA decision cast a shadow over the suspension of American forward Folarin Balogun. President Donald Trump’s actions that sparked the turnaround drew attention to both the team and the players.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
After De Ketelaele gave Belgium the lead with a simple tap-in in the ninth minute, Hans Vanaken punished the goalkeeper’s howler and substitute Romelu Lukaku added a fourth to seal Monday’s last-16 clash.
After Lukaku put the result beyond doubt, he and his teammates performed a celebratory dance that was all too familiar to audiences around the world. Social media users quickly linked it to President Trump’s signature dance moves.
Balogun, who was included in US manager Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup after FIFA handed him a one-match suspension, was virtually unknown in the knockout tie against Seattle on Monday.
Instead, the Belgian riots brutally crushed America’s hopes of reaching the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years, bringing a bitterly disappointing end to a tournament that had captivated the hosts.
Criticism of FIFA and solidarity with Belgium had already been pouring in before Monday’s game, but America’s disappointing performance generated a new wave of heckling while the game was still going on.
Belgium’s Red Devils shared a cheeky post minutes after the game ended with the caption “Overturn this” and also took a swipe at America for calling the game “soccer” instead of football.
Social media users pointed out the US’s poor performance from all angles. Some joked that it was the first time the teams had played a game, while others said it was more embarrassing than the previous 48 hours. Balogun performed well beyond his starting role, coming on as a substitute in the 92nd minute.
It was mostly ironic — or maybe not — that social media users warned that Trump could overturn Belgium’s 4-1 victory if he wanted to.
“FIFA Mafia”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also attended the match, watching from his suite along with Belgian Football Association President Pascal Van Dam and USSF President Cindy Perlow Cohn.
Belgian fans shouted “FIFA Mafia” during the pregame march to Lumen Field.
People were quick to point out that when the Iranian team needed a U.S. visa, or when Somali referee Omar Altan was denied a U.S. visa, or when Haiti was forced to change its uniforms at the last minute because of war imagery, Infantino shrugged his shoulders and absolved himself of the authority to resolve major issues.
“We always try to find solutions. Always,” Infantino said at a press conference on the eve of the tournament.
“But we have to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule the government and the police, but we don’t know what that is. We are a sporting body and we are trying to do the best we can with the means we have.”
He fanned the flames at the press conference by adding, “We can’t control everything. Maybe it’s good to just calm down and relax.”
Trump’s own niece, Mary Lee Trump, who has sued him over personal disputes and is one of Trump’s most vocal critics, denounced his interference in the matter.
“He casts a shadow over everything. The only way he can win is by cheating, and he thinks that applies to everyone else too. Sad,” she wrote about X.
“Let’s talk on the pitch”
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said the uproar surrounding Balogun had motivated his teammates.
“To be honest, we had a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said.
“We told ourselves we needed to speak up on the pitch and that’s what we did today. I’m very proud of the team,” the Aston Villa midfielder told Belgium’s RTBF broadcaster.
Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said his team’s victory felt like a measure of justice following FIFA’s decision against Balogun.
“As I said, I think there’s always justice somewhere in life. You can express the fact that something like that can happen any way you want, but I don’t think it was fair to us,” Raskin told reporters.
“And I think that gave us a little bit of luck today. We needed to win the game and get our message across.”
However, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia downplayed the controversy when asked in his post-match press conference whether he had inspired his players.
“No, it wasn’t necessary or necessary…What’s really important for us is our game plan,” he said, adding that he spoke to Balogun after the final whistle.
“He came to talk to me, and I loved it,” he said. “It’s not his fault and he’s not to blame. That’s what I told him.”
Belgium will play Spain in Los Angeles on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.
