Leandro Trossard played a major part in Belgium's 4-1 win over USA in the World Cup on Tuesday morning, as his team-mates mocked Donald Trump in the aftermath.
Belgium secured a shutout of the United States in Seattle before showing a dance routine replicating President Trump's trademark movements in what appeared a purposeful jab. It was a match in which Trossard featured for 89 minutes and bagged an assist before he was subbed off in place of Alexis Saelemaekers.
The Red Devils eliminated the USA from their home World Cup, exploiting three defensive errors before securing a fourth late on to complete a dominant triumph. Tensions were already heightened before kick-off after FIFA controversially allowed USA striker Folarin Balogun to participate despite collecting a red card in his nation's clash with Bosnia & Herzegovina.
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Trump publicly endorsed FIFA's decision at the Oval Office on Monday and acknowledged having conversed with Gianni Infantino prior to the suspension being overturned. Belgium were furious and sought clarification while threatening further measures, yet ultimately allowed their feet - and their dancing - to convey their message, as Trump was filmed boarding an aircraft and leaving the country while the humiliation unfolded.
Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the opening half, either side of Malik Tillman's free-kick for the USA. Hans Vanaken then converted into an empty net to establish Belgium's 3-1 advantage after the interval before Romelu Lukaku added a late fourth and celebrated in Trump's fashion.
It proved a bitter blow, particularly given that Trump and the entire Balogun saga had risked dominating the narrative before kick-off. Belgium had prepared for the last-16 encounter, anticipating Balogun would be unavailable, only for FIFA to dramatically overturn their ruling at the final moment.
The decision, which saw Balogun dismissed with a straight red card in the Round of 32, sparked controversy, while FIFA's agreement to overturn his suspension also drew criticism. Infantino's connections with Trump set off warning signals, with concerns arising regarding integrity.
Belgian players celebrate
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Belgian players mocked Donald Trump(Image: Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
While Infantino issued a statement addressing the issue, Belgium attempted to challenge Balogun's eligibility. FIFA ruled the appeal as "inadmissible," despite Belgium requesting clarification.
Belgium subsequently cautioned of possible action should Balogun have taken part in Tuesday's fixture, yet the USA forward was named in the starting XI. The Royal Belgian Football Association said: "This leaves all further actions open.
"To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure."
Reflecting on the chaotic circumstances following the USA's elimination, Balogun said: "When you're given a red card, usually the protocol is you don't play in the following game. Then, when that decision's overturned, of course, it's going to be controversial.
"So it didn't really surprise me too much. But as a player, my job is just to go out there and focus on my job. And I'm disappointed we weren't able to win today."
Mauricio Pochettino consoles Christian Pulisic
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USA were knocked out of the World Cup by Belgium(Image: John Dorton/USSF, Getty Images)
He added: "I accepted the decision when I was given the red card, and then I also accepted the decision when I was told I could play. There's not too much else I can really say on the on the matter. All that being said, Belgium were the better team today. They played much better than us."
Beyond the celebrations at full-time, the official Belgium football account delivered a pointed message directed at FIFA and the USMNT, posting: "Overturn this," alongside Lukaku's celebtation.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois twisted the knife further, saying: "I felt a bit more certain today that we would win than against Senegal, if I may be honest. They were a stronger team than the US, and that was evident today."
Belgium skipper Youri Tielemans also revealed that the Balogun saga had served as a rallying call for his side: "Let's be honest: we held a meeting when we heard the news," he said of the Balogun controversy.
He added: "We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That's what we did today. I'm very proud of the team."