The Belgian media have gone on the offensive after Belgium brushed aside co-hosts the USA 4-1 to reach the quarterfinal of the 2026 World Cup against the background of the controversy surrounding the lifting of the ban on star striker Folarin Balogun.
Het Nieuwsblad came up with the headline ‘Trump 1 Belgium 4, who are you now going to call Donald’ in reference to the phone call by the US President to Gianni Infantino that led to Balogun getting his suspension lifted for him to play against Belgium.
The newspaper praised Belgium for stepping amid the commotion of the last few days, adding that the team have done “excellent” to reach the last eight of the tournament.
Het Laastste Nieuws reported that “dominant Belgium” silenced US, while Sporza said the victory was justice well served.
“The Red Devils have claimed justice themselves. This match was entirely dedicated to providing an answer to all the commotion of the past few days,” Sporza reported.
“What must a certain Donald Trump have been thinking last night? His United States was, despite that much-discussed phone call, mercilessly knocked out of the World Cup by a group of brave Belgians. The football world must undoubtedly have enjoyed it.”
Striker Balogun was also not spared.
“Balogun, the man about whom so much ink has been spilled in recent days, blasted his biggest chance straight at Courtois. Do you have to call the president for that?” the publication asked.
