Belgium responds to Balogun red card controversy after victory over USA

Shortly after Romelu Lukaku scored the goal that capped a commanding 4-1 win over the United States, Belgium's all-time leading goal scorer held his right hand to his ear. On American soil, and in the aftermath of star U.S. forward Folarin Balogun being permitted to play after a one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, Lukaku egged on the crowd of 66,925 at Lumen Field. The Red Devils then took to social media to poke more fun in light of what they considered no laughing matter, posting above the photo the words: “Overturn this.”

After all the controversy leading into the game, Belgium managed to make easy work of the USMNT and had a message for the country’s president after the game. Amid all the controversy after Donald Trump’s intervention, leading to FIFA suspending USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s red card ban, all eyes were on Belgium’s Round of 16 against them.

The victorious Belgium team mainly let their skills do the talking at the World Cup after a day of red card suspension controversy, a failed appeal, and the unsurprising intervention of Donald Trump. For some, the 4-1 win Monday over a demolished Christian Pulisic and Team USA in Seattle, WA would have said it all. …

After beating the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, Belgium posted a response on social media to Folarin Balogun's red card being overturned.

For Belgium, Monday’s 4-1 victory over the United States was doubly sweet. The buildup to the match had been tinged with controversy after Fifa had suspended the red card US striker Folarin Balogun was given last week against Bosnia and Herzegovina. When it emerged that Donald Trump had lobbied for Balogun’s red card to be overturned, Belgium – and other nations – were outraged: Uefa called the decision “incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.

Red Devils beat USA to advance to World Cup last-eight Team had been angered by suspension of red card For Belgium, Monday’s 4-1 victory over the United States was doubly sweet. They advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals, as well as overcoming what they saw as injustice off the field. The buildup to the match had been tinged with controversy after Fifa had suspended the red card US striker Folarin Balogun was given in the last 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That meant Balogun was free to play against Belgium instead of serving a one-match ban. When it emerged that Donald Trump had lobbied for Balogun’s red card to be overturned, Belgium – and other nations – were outraged: Uefa called the decision “incomprehensible and unjustifiable”. Continue reading...