‘Overturn this’: victorious Belgium throw barb after Balogun red-card controversy | Belgium

For Belgium, Monday’s 4-1 victory over the United States was doubly sweet. They reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup and overcame what they saw as injustice off the pitch.

The course of the match sparked controversy after FIFA penalized the red card that US striker Folarin Balogun received in the last 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. This meant Balogun could play against Belgium in lieu of a one-match ban. Belgium and other countries were outraged when it emerged that Donald Trump had lobbied for Balogun’s red card to be rescinded: UEFA described the decision as “incomprehensible and unjustified”.

The Belgian team’s official social media channels immediately published a message after confirming the 4-1 victory. “Reverse this” articles readas well as footage of goal celebrations.

Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said the Balogun controversy had helped his team’s motivation.

“Let’s be honest: We had a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said after Monday’s game. “We told ourselves that we had to talk on the field. That’s what we did today. I’m proud of the team.”

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the team has faced a “lack of respect” in the United States over the past few days.

“People were saying they could beat us easily, but I think we proved today that we are a really good team,” he said. “We are playing a great match”

Belgian winger Dodi Lukébakio He said that although the team was aware of the Balogun incident, they did not allow it to distract them.

“We didn’t really understand why he was allowed to play because he got a red card, but we didn’t want to dwell on it too much, we wanted to focus and play our game and that’s what we did today,” he said.

Midfielder Nicolas Raskin echoed his teammates.

“I think there’s always justice somewhere in life, and you can explain the fact that something like this could happen all you want, but we don’t think it’s fair,” he told reporters. “And I think that brought us some luck today. We had to win the game and the message from start to finish.”

But coach Rudi Garcia played in the back row when asked if that fueled his players.

“No, it wasn’t needed or necessary … what really mattered to us is our gameplan,” he said, adding that he had spoken ‌with Balogun after the final whistle. “He came to talk to me, which I really liked. … It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame, and that’s what I told him.”

Belgium will face Spain on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.