‘Overturn this’ chimed a triumphant Belgian tweet after the Unites States’ World Cup journey came to a humbling end.
The sense of injustice felt by Belgium following the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card – an astonishing ruling that says much about the direction of FIFA under Gianni Infantino – led to a backlash in Seattle as the Red Devils cruised to a 4-1 win.
Balogun was a peripheral figure as two goals from Charles de Ketelaere and further efforts from Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku ended the States’ World Cup dream and powered Belgium into a quarter-final with Spain.
It was the perfect response to 48 hours of bewildering decision-making at FIFA that enabled Balogun to play following a phone call from US president Donald Trump to Infantino.
“A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days,” said Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin.
“There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field.”
The Belgian FA tweeted ‘overturn this’ while the players mocked Trump by copying his trademark dance following Lukaku’s goal.
Belgium boss Garcia impressed by Balogun
None of this was of Balogun’s own doing and Belgium boss Rudi Garcia revealed afterwards the Monaco striker had come into the winning team’s dressing room to have a chat.
“I really liked that,” said Garcia. “It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame and that’s what I told him.”
The affair overshadowed the build-up with the US producing arguably their worst performance of the Mauricio Pochettino era to exit the tournament in meek fashion.
The Argentine insisted it had not been a distraction and put his side’s display down to a bad day at the office.
“It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse,” Pochettino said. “I think we were not good enough. It wasn’t our day. We didn’t perform in the way that we’re supposed to perform or show our quality. All that was happening around [with the Balogun situation], it was around us, but I think it wasn’t a situation that affected us in the group.”
USA midfielder Tyler Adams agreed, adding: “I think when it happened, it was just as much a surprise to us as it was to you. I don’t think that noise or anything affected us by any means. If anything, it probably uplifted us in a sense.”
Pochettino won’t rush USA decision
Pochettino’s contract is now up and he said he would take his time to consider his options, even though US Soccer would like him to stay.
“Now is not a moment to talk about that,” he said. “I think now is a moment to see, to assess the tournament. You know, I’m sure in the next weeks we can start to talk if [US Soccer] wants to talk.
“I think this team showed that we can play football, we can play soccer, we can compete,” he said. “A lot of young players with a lot of potential and future, and I think a generation of young kids that are coming behind. I think only [that you should] keep believing in that process.”
