Here’s the latest update from the ongoing FIFA World Cup as of 2026-07-07 22:05:00.
SEATTLE — Romelu Lukaku celebrated his goal during Belgium’s commanding 4-1 victory over the United States by playfully gesturing to the crowd at Lumen Field, which saw 66,925 fans in attendance. This match followed the controversial decision by FIFA to lift a red-card suspension for American forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play.
Belgium’s Justification
Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin remarked on the match’s significance, stating, “There’s always a justice somewhere in life.” He noted that the controversial ruling served as an extra motivator for Belgium, who felt the decision was unjust.
The Belgian Football Federation sought clarification from FIFA regarding Balogun’s eligibility, but many players insisted they had enough motivation without needing further context. With this win, Belgium extended its unbeaten streak to 18 games, eliminating the U.S. from the knockout stage for the second time in 12 years.
American players, including defender Alex Freeman, were looking for payback after suffering a 5-2 loss to Belgium earlier in the year. However, Belgium captain Youri Tielemans led his team to a solid performance, stating, “We put in a lot of intensity, there was quality too.”
Key Performers
Remarkably, it wasn’t Belgium’s famed “Golden Generation” that shone in this match; Charles De Ketelaere scored two goals, marking a standout display for the Red Devils. The four-goal tally was the highest the U.S. has conceded in a World Cup match since a 5-1 defeat in 1990.
Hans Vanaken also contributed to the scoreline, helping Belgium recover from a shaky start to reach the knockout stage. Midfielder Dodi Lukébakio noted the team’s growth despite earlier struggles in the group phase, adding, “We are showing our quality, definitely.”
Looking ahead, Belgium is set to face Spain, the 2010 World Cup champions, in a pivotal match that could lead to a semifinal against France or Morocco. However, they will do so without midfielder Amadou Onana, who suffered a torn ACL during the match.
Despite the cloud of Onana’s injury, the spirit in the Belgium camp was buoyed by their performance against the U.S., especially after the pre-match controversies involving FIFA. Tielemans asserted, “Our job was to show on the pitch that we are here for football… and we did that today.” Meanwhile, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois expressed confidence in the win, emphasizing the difference in competition.
FAQs
What was the significance of Balogun’s red card suspension?
Balogun’s red card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, leading to increased motivation for the Belgian team.
Who scored for Belgium in the match against the U.S.?
Charles De Ketelaere scored two goals, while Romelu Lukaku and Hans Vanaken added one each to secure the victory.
Key Facts
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- Source: www.espn.com – SOCCER
- Published: 2026-07-07 22:05:00
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Tags: #Belgium #beating #USMNT #justice #Balogun #playing
Tags: #Belgium #beating #USMNT #justice #Balogun #playing
