World Cup: Trump-backed Balogun fails to justify dramatic FIFA reprieve against Belgium
Folarin Balogun's controversial return took centre stage before kick-off, but the United States striker was unable to justify the pre-match attention as Belgium thrashed the co-hosts 4-1 to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals on Monday.
Folarin Balogun's controversial return dominated the build-up, but the United States striker failed to make an impact as Belgium swept to a 4-1 victory in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Monday to book a quarter-final meeting with Spain.
Balogun returned to the starting lineup after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban, allowing the striker to feature despite his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round. Having scored three goals earlier in the tournament, the 25-year-old was expected to spearhead the hosts' attack but was largely kept quiet by Belgium's defense.
USA vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup: HIGHLIGHTS
Belgium seized control through Charles De Ketelaere before Balogun briefly lifted the home crowd by winning a free-kick just outside the penalty area after being fouled by Brandon Mechele. Malik Tillman curled the resulting set-piece into the net in the 31st minute to cancel out De Ketelaere's opener, but it proved to be Balogun's only meaningful contribution.
The striker continued to look for openings with runs in behind the Belgian defence but found Thibaut Courtois in commanding form. His best opportunity came in the 82nd minute, when the goalkeeper denied his left-footed effort. Balogun was replaced by Haji Wright in stoppage time after an otherwise quiet outing.
Belgium quickly regained control of the contest. De Ketelaere restored the lead before a costly error from goalkeeper Matt Freese handed the Red Devils another goal. Romelu Lukaku wrapped up the scoring late on as Rudi Garcia's side secured an emphatic victory.
Balogun's selection, however, remained the biggest talking point throughout the evening.
The United States forward had been shown a red card during his side's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after stepping on an opponent's ankle, a dismissal that carried an automatic one-match suspension under FIFA's disciplinary regulations.
FIFA, however, suspended the sanction for one year after US President Donald Trump spoke to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and requested a review of the incident, paving the way for Balogun's return against Belgium.
Trump confirmed on Monday that he had personally sought the review while insisting he had not pressured FIFA to overturn the suspension.
"I saw the play, and I'm a person that loves sports. That wasn't a foul. That wasn't even an infraction," Trump said.
"This referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. He made a call that nobody could believe. He's our best player, or one of our best players. He gave him a red card. Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA."
As criticism mounted, Infantino defended FIFA's handling of the case, saying the governing body's judicial process operated independently and that Balogun's case had followed the appropriate legal procedure.
The decision nevertheless drew a fierce backlash. UEFA accused FIFA of crossing "a red line" by overturning an automatic suspension, describing the move as "incomprehensible and unjustifiable" and warning that it had undermined the integrity of the competition. The Royal Belgian Football Association also challenged Balogun's eligibility before kick-off, but FIFA rejected the appeal.
Although Balogun received one of the loudest ovations from the Seattle crowd before the match, he was unable to justify the attention as Belgium comfortably progressed.
The Red Devils even appeared to reference the controversy after the final whistle, posting a photograph of Romelu Lukaku celebrating in front of the American supporters with the caption: "Overturn this."
Balogun finished the tournament with three goals, matching Landon Donovan's tally from the 2010 World Cup for the second-highest return by an American at a single edition. Only Bert Patenaude's four goals at the inaugural tournament in 1930 remain ahead of him.
Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the United States bow out with the debate over Balogun's reinstatement likely to continue beyond their World Cup campaign.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
Folarin Balogun's controversial return dominated the build-up, but the United States striker failed to make an impact as Belgium swept to a 4-1 victory in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Monday to book a quarter-final meeting with Spain.
Balogun returned to the starting lineup after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban, allowing the striker to feature despite his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round. Having scored three goals earlier in the tournament, the 25-year-old was expected to spearhead the hosts' attack but was largely kept quiet by Belgium's defense.
USA vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup: HIGHLIGHTS
Belgium seized control through Charles De Ketelaere before Balogun briefly lifted the home crowd by winning a free-kick just outside the penalty area after being fouled by Brandon Mechele. Malik Tillman curled the resulting set-piece into the net in the 31st minute to cancel out De Ketelaere's opener, but it proved to be Balogun's only meaningful contribution.
The striker continued to look for openings with runs in behind the Belgian defence but found Thibaut Courtois in commanding form. His best opportunity came in the 82nd minute, when the goalkeeper denied his left-footed effort. Balogun was replaced by Haji Wright in stoppage time after an otherwise quiet outing.
Belgium quickly regained control of the contest. De Ketelaere restored the lead before a costly error from goalkeeper Matt Freese handed the Red Devils another goal. Romelu Lukaku wrapped up the scoring late on as Rudi Garcia's side secured an emphatic victory.
Balogun's selection, however, remained the biggest talking point throughout the evening.
The United States forward had been shown a red card during his side's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after stepping on an opponent's ankle, a dismissal that carried an automatic one-match suspension under FIFA's disciplinary regulations.
FIFA, however, suspended the sanction for one year after US President Donald Trump spoke to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and requested a review of the incident, paving the way for Balogun's return against Belgium.
Trump confirmed on Monday that he had personally sought the review while insisting he had not pressured FIFA to overturn the suspension.
"I saw the play, and I'm a person that loves sports. That wasn't a foul. That wasn't even an infraction," Trump said.
"This referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. He made a call that nobody could believe. He's our best player, or one of our best players. He gave him a red card. Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA."
As criticism mounted, Infantino defended FIFA's handling of the case, saying the governing body's judicial process operated independently and that Balogun's case had followed the appropriate legal procedure.
The decision nevertheless drew a fierce backlash. UEFA accused FIFA of crossing "a red line" by overturning an automatic suspension, describing the move as "incomprehensible and unjustifiable" and warning that it had undermined the integrity of the competition. The Royal Belgian Football Association also challenged Balogun's eligibility before kick-off, but FIFA rejected the appeal.
Although Balogun received one of the loudest ovations from the Seattle crowd before the match, he was unable to justify the attention as Belgium comfortably progressed.
The Red Devils even appeared to reference the controversy after the final whistle, posting a photograph of Romelu Lukaku celebrating in front of the American supporters with the caption: "Overturn this."
Balogun finished the tournament with three goals, matching Landon Donovan's tally from the 2010 World Cup for the second-highest return by an American at a single edition. Only Bert Patenaude's four goals at the inaugural tournament in 1930 remain ahead of him.
Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the United States bow out with the debate over Balogun's reinstatement likely to continue beyond their World Cup campaign.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
