Until last night, the US national team was one of the most attractive teams in the World Cup. Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino had built such a vibrant squad that players pressed relentlessly, ran tirelessly, made mistakes, but always got back up and pushed forward. They resembled Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur from a decade ago: a bit reckless, sometimes boring, but utterly alive.

Then came the Folarin Balogun incident. The American striker's red card in the round of 16 match between the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina was clear as day, but just days before the Belgium game, the suspension was unexpectedly 'postponed for a year'. US President Donald Trump allegedly even got involved, claiming to have personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ensure Balogun could play against Belgium.

But these 'good intentions' did not help the US team. The team's entire charm seemed to have been sucked out. From love to hate in just one game. The hosts went from legitimate favorites to objects of universal disdain, with bookmakers even doubting their victory and favoring Belgium. The 'Red Devils' capitalized on this opportunity.

Just a few days earlier, Belgium had been bogged down against Senegal, only securing a spot in the round of 16 in the final minutes, themselves full of doubt.

But from the first minutes of the new match, they set out to prove they deserved to stay in the World Cup. Youri Tielemans and Timothy Castagne forced US goalkeeper Matt Turner to make saves, then after a corner, Charles De Ketelaere won an aerial duel, and Castagne finished unchallenged — 1-0.

The Americans only came to life after the water break. Pressing returned, Balogun delivered a dangerous free kick, and Malik Tillman's shot deflected off Hans Vanaken to finally give the hosts hope — 1-1. But that hope lasted only a few minutes.

Leandro Trossard crossed, De Ketelaere was again the quickest to react and scored — 2-1. The broadcast director captured the best shot of the evening: Pochettino furiously kicking a drinks cooler, as if trying to beat the horror of the night out of it.

In the second half, the US tried to get back into the game. They even started more actively than their opponents. But football is ruthless to those who have lost confidence. The decisive moment was symbolic: Matt Turner rushed out for a simple ball, but tripped and froze, allowing De Ketelaere to intercept and Vanaken to calmly slot into an empty net — 3-1.

After that, although nearly half an hour remained, the game was effectively over. In stoppage time, Romelu Lukaku made it a humiliating 4-1. Just days after looking heavy and sluggish, Belgium suddenly became one of the most dangerous title contenders and now faces Spain in the quarterfinals on July 11.

The paradox is that the defeat did not start with De Ketelaere's first goal or Turner's mistake. It started much earlier. Football often repeats a simple truth: when stakes get too high, politics likes to interfere. But football always responds the same way — it ruthlessly brings everything back to the pitch. And there, no phone calls, big names, or privileges work.

Source: www.gazeta.uz