Belgium trolls U.S. after 4-1 victory in World Cup round of 16 match

The United States faced a disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup after a 4-1 loss to Belgium on July 6, 2026. This defeat marked the fourth time in five World Cups that the U.S. has been eliminated in the round of 16. The match, held in New York City, showcased Belgium’s dominance and included a controversial moment regarding the eligibility of American striker Folarin Balogun.

Match Overview and Key Events

Belgium opened the scoring in the ninth minute, with Charles De Ketelaere finding the back of the net. The U.S. equalized in the 31st minute through midfielder Malik Tillman, who converted a free kick. However, Belgium quickly regained the lead just two minutes later with another goal from De Ketelaere, ultimately sealing the match with goals from Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku in the second half.

Controversy Surrounding Folarin Balogun

One of the major talking points leading up to this match was the suspension of Balogun's red card by FIFA just before the game. The Belgian Football Federation expressed disbelief at the decision, with manager Rudi Garcia remarking that it felt like an "April Fools'" joke. Despite being cleared to play, Balogun did not make a significant impact during the match, failing to record a goal or assist.

Belgium's Social Media Response

Following their victory, Belgium took to social media to mock the U.S. with a post featuring Lukaku celebrating his goal alongside the caption: "Overturn this," a nod to the controversy surrounding Balogun. In another post, Belgium emphasized their win by stating, "It's called FOOTBALL," with the word "soccer" crossed out, highlighting the cultural differences in terminology.

• Match Date: July 6, 2026
• Final Score: Belgium 4, U.S. 1
• Goals: De Ketelaere (2), Vanaken, Lukaku
• U.S. Goal: Tillman

This loss for the U.S. not only signifies their ongoing struggles in the World Cup but also allows Belgium to relish in their historic performance.