Folarin Balogun’s red card appeared to be a hindrance instead of helping his country as the USA team from outside was defeated by Belgium 4-1 and ended the dreams of the participants in the World Cup.
The PR circus that followed FIFA’s decision to stop his red card and Donald Trump’s involvement in the so-called independent system appeared to strengthen America’s rivals and it was confusing as Belgium left their managers awake in Seattle to organize the quarter-final match against Spain.
The Europeans were much more dominant before the break and could have taken the lead within a minute when Timothy Castagne forced Matt Freese into a save, while the prolific Balogun touched down 11 times in the first half.
The USA didn’t show their usual signs of Pochettino verve and they didn’t speak in a schoolboy-like manner defending every Belgium goal that put paid to their World Cup hopes.
In Charles De Ketelaere’s first game, three players hesitated to stop Leandro Trossard’s cross which allowed Nicolas Raskin to steal and square for the Atalanta striker to fire home.
Shortly after the first break the hosts leveled with Malik Tillman’s free-kick – their only first-half goal – before they were level again 116 seconds later when De Ketelaere nodded past Trossard at the back of the net.
Pochettino finally got his side in on the break but as the momentum seemed to swing in their favour, they fired back in the foot as Freese was tackled outside his area and instead Hans Vanaken’s long-range effort went past Tim Ream to keep him out.
Romelu Lukaku’s fourth goal following a brace from Chris Richards didn’t matter to that point with the USA’s World Cup hopes already up in smoke – and questions to be asked about whether Trump’s intervention is worth the media frenzy that seems to be affecting his side of the world.
Highlights from Seattle
- 1: SHUT UP! With just 46 seconds on the clock, Castagne aimed a 25-yard effort into the top corner that Freese kept out with a fingertip save.
- 8: Tielemans should put the Belgian ahead but misses the ball completely from Lukebakio’s pull-back.
- 9: GOAL! Within a minute De Ketelaere makes amends as he taps Raskin after he hesitates to defend for the USA.
- 31: GOAL! Tillman deflected a free-kick past Courtois to bring the USA level with their first chance.
- 33: GOAL! De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead with a late header less than two minutes after the USA equalized.
- 45: OPPORTUNITY! Balogun shoots after a long throw when Ngoy does enough to knock him down in the area.
- 57: GOAL! A disaster. Freese was caught on the ball outside the box by De Ketelaere, before Vanaken’s weak effort somehow deflected past Ream’s effort for a third.
- 90+3: GOAL! Richards tackles Lukaku on the edge of his box and is punished by the Belgian who finishes brilliantly.
Analysis: The situation is improving in the USA – but why?
Sky Sports’ Ron Walker:
“The USA’s tenacity and quick start, often supported by the work of Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun in the final third and the role of Weston McKennie just behind, was not evident against Belgium in Seattle.
“Balogun was touched 19 times, one less than Jeremy Doku, who played the last 23 minutes. Pulisic struggled to get into the game before being taken off injured and McKennie, who ran into the area as usual in the last 16, could not get a single touch in the Belgian box.
“Why? Maybe it was just one game too many. Their win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32 was their first knockout victory since 2002.
“But with the full level of global scrutiny surrounding the game it is difficult to suggest that the players have been able to leave their emotions behind in the last few days in the dressing room.
“Because this was the chalk and cheese of anything we’ve seen from Mauricio Pochettino’s side in this competition, we’re up against a team that has loved to deceive so far.
“Instead, they were undoubtedly inspired by Balogun’s inclusion in a start that was almost as emphatic as the Belgian FA’s press release – and will now relish their chance to give Spain a real trip to Los Angeles on Friday.”
