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Belgium humiliated the U.S. men's national team and U.S. President Donald Trump, both on the pitch and beyond, after a dominant 4–1 victory in the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup on Monday.
The controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun had been virtually the sole topic of discussion ahead of the knockout stage encounter at Lumen Field. The American forward had originally been due to sit out the Belgium fixture after receiving a red card in the previous match, but his one-game suspension was dramatically lifted by FIFA following the governing body's discussions with Trump.
Despite Belgium's appeal against FIFA's ruling, Balogun was named in the starting eleven by head coach Mauricio Pochettino — yet the 25-year-old was unable to spare his team from a humbling defeat and a painful exit from the competition.
Charles De Ketelaere's double was complemented by goals from substitutes Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku, and it was the latter's injury-time finish that sparked Belgium's first taunt directed at their opponents.
Lukaku and his teammates marked Belgium's fourth goal by recreating the now-iconic dance Trump frequently performed throughout his 2024 presidential campaign, swaying their hips and pumping their fists back and forth in a clear dig at the president.
In the lead-up to Monday's fixture, Trump acknowledged having approached FIFA President and close ally Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's red card.
"Yeah, I did, I spoke to Gianni. I asked for a review by FIFA," Trump stated. "That's all I did. And, you know, again, I'm good at this stuff. That wasn't a foul. That wasn't even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed who happened to crash into each other."
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Belgium Rubs Salt in USMNT Wounds
Overturn this. 🧏♂️ #USABEL pic.twitter.com/KcBAJp3Z7d
Belgium's social media team echoed its players by taking a swipe at the USMNT shortly after the final whistle sounded in Seattle.
Accompanying two images of Lukaku's celebration, the national team's official X account posted the caption: "Overturn this".
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The Red Devils were justifiably infuriated by the abrupt red card reversal and released a strongly worded statement in protest. Nevertheless, manager Rudi Garcia was eager to clarify after the game that he held no grudge against the USMNT striker.
"Balogun came to talk to me, I liked that. It's not his fault, he's not the one to blame. I told him that. I appreciate he came to talk to me," Garcia told reporters.