Belgium is headed into the World Cup quarterfinals after a thrilling 4-1 win against the United States, a match marked by controversy over FIFA's decision to lift USA's star forward Folarin Balogun's one-game red card suspension.
While the US was boosted by the presence of Balogun, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals by Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere, who scored at the 9th and 33rd minute.
USA goalkeeper Matt Freese's gaffe gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half, and substitute Romelu Lukaku added Belgium's final goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
Last Wednesday during the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun was shown a red card by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping on an opponent’s ankle, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
After Trump spoke by phone to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the discipline for a year on Sunday. But he ultimately played a forgettable role in the match against Belgium.
