Belgium eliminates US from World Cup after Balogun controversy

Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said his team felt a "sense of injustice" over United States striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban being suspended by Fifa shortly before their World Cup last-16 match. Balogun, 25, appeared certain to miss the tie in Seattle after being shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round. On Monday US President Donald Trump said he asked Fifa to review Balogun's ban, which he said would have left a "big stain" on the tournament.

Folarin Balogun has found his name in the headlines over the last 48 hours as the USMNT have now crashed out of the World Cup. There was plenty of controversy leading up to the game in Seattle on Monday following Balogun’s suspension being overturned by FIFA.

⚽ News and previews before the final last-16 match-ups ⚽ Player guide | Bracketology| Golden Boot | Email Luke Hello sports fans. USA, the co-hosts, have been knocked out after a thumping 4-1 last-16 defeat by Belgium in Seattle. They insist the Donald Trump-induced Folarin Balogun red-card furore had nothing to do with the result. Continue reading...

Belgium captain Youri Tielemans revealed his team had been fired up by the uproar surrounding Folarin Balogun after the Red Devils thrashed the United States 4-1 at the World Cup on Monday.Balogun was named in the United States line-up on Monday after FIFA suspended his one-match ban for a sending off in the last 32, but he made little impact in the match.

Co-hosts United States were thrashed 4-1 by Belgium on Monday and were eliminated from the World Cup following FIFA's controversial decision to allow forward Folarin Balogun play despite a red card suspension. Belgium took an early lead through Charles De Ketelaere in the ninth minute.

Belgium dumped the United States out of their own World Cup Monday, as Charles De Ketelaere's brace secured a 4-1 win that was eclipsed by the bitter row over Folarin Balogun's ban.FIFA's move to suspend Balogun's ban after he was sent off in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been slammed by football fans, pundits and players around the world, but there were no such misgivings among the Seattle crowd.