Belgium leads U.S. in knockout match
U.S.-Belgium World Cup match sparks red-card and political reaction.
15 left12 center7 right
Updated Jul 7, 8:24am ETBoth sides, every morning
The day’s biggest stories and how each side covered them. Free.
The reporting
Belgium eliminated the United States from the World Cup with a 4-1 Round of 16 win in Seattle, reaching the quarterfinals and ending the co-host’s bid for its first last-eight appearance in 24 years. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted another goal as Belgium built an early lead and punished U.S. defensive errors. Folarin Balogun started for the U.S. after FIFA lifted his automatic one-match suspension from a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Belgium challenged that ruling, which followed reported pressure from President Donald Trump and dominated the buildup.
Belgium completed a 4-1 win in Seattle, eliminating the United States in the Round of 16 and advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and added an assist, while Belgium players celebrated the fourth goal with Donald Trump’s signature dance amid the suspension controversy.
Analysis & opinion
Integrity CompromisedMostly Left
Trump’s pressure on FIFA crossed a line by using personal clout to bend a global sporting institution. The reversal damaged trust in the World Cup because it looked unprecedented, politically tainted, and corrosive to competitive integrity.
Trump RebukedMostly Left
Belgium’s win landed as a sporting answer to Trump’s attempt to interfere in the tournament. By losing badly after Trump attached himself to the cause, the United States turned his intervention into a public humiliation.
U.S. RoutedBalanced
Belgium decisively eliminated the United States from the World Cup, turning early American promise into a meek exit. Trump’s involvement did not prevent the defeat and made the rout feel even more humiliating.
Backlash OverdoneMostly Right
The outrage over Trump helping Balogun was more partisan theater than real scandal. Critics let anti-Trump reflexes overpower a pro-American outcome and risk looking like they are against the U.S. team.
Also today
All of today's stories →- 1JD Vance Defends Ramaswamy Attack AdLeft & CenterLeft & Center102articles
- 2Russia Frees Stephen HubbardBalancedBalanced58articles
- 3Balanced58articles
- 4Balanced49articles
- 5OpenAI Finds PHP FlawBalancedBalanced44articles
- 6Meta Ordered To Pay $25BLeft & CenterLeft & Center37articles