Belgium rubbed salt into the United States’ wounds after knocking the co-hosts out of the FIFA World Cup 2026, celebrating their emphatic 4-1 Round of 16 victory with a pair of cheeky social media posts that quickly went viral.The Belgian Red Devils appeared to take direct aim at the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s overturned suspension, posting a pointed message on Instagram shortly after the final whistle.
‘Overturn this’ post goes viral
Following their commanding victory in Seattle, Belgium shared an Instagram Story that simply read: “Overturn this.”The remark was widely interpreted as a sarcastic dig at FIFA’s decision to suspend the implementation of Balogun’s automatic one-match ban just a day before the knockout clash. Balogun had been shown a red card during the United States’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic suspension. However, FIFA later invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to defer the ban for a one-year probationary period, allowing the striker to feature against Belgium.ALSO READ: After all the drama… Balogun’s controversial FIFA reprieve ends in World Cup heartbreak with little impactThe decision sparked widespread criticism across the football world, with Belgium’s football federation unsuccessfully challenging Balogun’s eligibility before kickoff.Belgium did not stop there.The Red Devils also reignited the long-running “football” versus “soccer” debate by posting on X: “It’s called FOOTBALL.”The playful jab immediately drew reactions from fans, especially after Belgium’s convincing victory ended the hosts’ World Cup campaign.
Belgium dominate despite Balogun controversy
On the pitch, Belgium ensured the pre-match controversy became little more than a footnote with a clinical performance.Charles De Ketelaere produced a Player of the Match display, scoring twice and providing an assist as Belgium booked their place in the quarter-finals. Hans Vanaken scored his maiden FIFA World Cup goal, while substitute Romelu Lukaku completed the scoring in stoppage time with his third consecutive World Cup goal.The United States briefly threatened when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick levelled the scores in the first half, but Belgium responded almost immediately before taking complete control after the interval.A costly mistake from goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted Belgium a third goal, and Lukaku capitalised on a late defensive error to wrap up an emphatic victory.ALSO READ: Romelu Lukaku scripts unique World Cup history with super-sub feat as Belgium end USA’s dreamBalogun, whose availability dominated headlines before kickoff, failed to justify the attention surrounding FIFA’s decision. The striker, who entered the match with three tournament goals, helped win the free-kick from which Tillman equalised but struggled to influence proceedings thereafter before being substituted late in the contest.The defeat ended the United States’ hopes of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002 and made them the last of the three co-host nations to exit the tournament after Canada and Mexico.
