Donald Trump will not have been enough. The day after Donald Trump’s phone call to Gianni Infantino to cancel the suspension of Folarin Balogun, Belgium effectively put an abrupt end to American hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of their World Cup
In this electric round of 16, the Red Devils dictated their law from the kick-off. Lined up from the start in place of Jérémy Doku, Leandro Trossard immediately proved untenable on his left flank, tormenting the USMNT defense. It was also on an acceleration from the Arsenal player that Charles De Ketelaere, ideally placed, opened the scoring in the 9th minute of play with a precise strike.
Stunned by this missed start, Mauricio Pochettino’s men struggled to line up the passes, suffering from the high and stifling pressure of the Belgians. We had to wait for the cool-down break in the middle of the first period to see the Americans find a second wind and temporarily balance the proceedings.
Tillman’s ephemeral reply
The American reaction came from Malik Tillman. In the 31st minute, the midfielder fired a powerful free kick which, deflected by the Belgian wall, fooled Thibaut Courtois. An equalizer celebrated deliriously by the Seattle public, but the local joy was very short-lived.
Barely two minutes later (33rd), Belgium regained the advantage. Taking advantage of another outburst from Trossard, De Ketelaere scored a memorable double by placing an unstoppable header into Matt Freese’s top corner. A stab which provoked the fury of Pochettino on his sidelines, sending water bottles flying in frustration. At half-time, the Red Devils logically led 2-1, despite the concern linked to the early injury exit of Amadou Onana.
The sinking of the United States
Upon returning from the locker room, the American team completely collapsed. In the 57th minute, a terrible mistake sealed the fate of the match: goalkeeper Matt Freese ventured too far from his goal line, allowing Hans Vanaken to score the third Belgian goal with disconcerting ease.
To make matters worse, the star of the American team, Christian Pulisic, had to leave the field prematurely due to an injury, leaving his partners orphaned by their technical leader. Despite the presence of Folarin Balogun, the American waves remained sterile against a ruthless Belgian block and an imperial Thibaut Courtois, author of a decisive save in the 82nd minute. In stoppage time (90+3rd), Romelu Lukaku, who entered the game, completed the Belgian triumph by taking advantage of the generosity of a dying rearguard to fix the final score at 4-1.
