Belgium produced a dominant display to defeat the United States 4-1 and advance to the World Cup quarter-finals, sealing their victory in the early hours of Tuesday morning despite a politically charged build-up.
The match kicked off at 2am local time in Belgium, yet thousands of fans gathered across the country to watch the national team progress. In Kalmthout, near the Dutch border, supporters told De Standaard that the team remained “our national pride, so we have to support them, even at night.” The fixture had become embroiled in controversy after reports that Donald Trump had lobbied FIFA to overturn the suspension of USA striker Falorin Balogun, prompting a defiant response from the Belgian camp.
Celebrations Send Political Message
Romelu Lukaku sealed the comprehensive win with the final goal, after which the Belgian players celebrated by imitating Donald Trump’s signature dancing style. The team’s social media channels amplified the message with a viral post stating “Overturn this” — a direct reference to the off-field disputes.
Philippe Albert, the former Belgium and Newcastle United defender, delivered a scathing assessment of the political interference. He described the victory as “a real slap in the face for Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino”, telling Le Soir that Belgium had shown “a big heart” despite attempts to destabilise the squad. Midfielder Axel Witsel confirmed the celebration routine was a collective decision by the players.
Fans in Brussels expressed their displeasure by burning an American flag, while supporters at screenings reportedly booed images of Infantino and the USA team. The tension stems from FIFA’s decision to lift Balogun’s suspension following Trump’s intervention, a move that dominated the pre-match narrative.
Royal Support for Spain Clash
Belgium now face Spain in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles on Friday. King Philippe of Belgium will travel to California to attend the match, underscoring the national significance of the team’s run. The monarch had previously offered public support to coach Rudi Garcia, posting on X: “May fair-play and the best team prevail tonight: come on Belgium!”
The victory maintains Belgium’s impressive World Cup form and sets up a tantalising clash with Spain. With the political storm now settled on the pitch, the Red Devils will hope to carry their momentum into the latter stages of the tournament.