The United States is out of the World Cup. The hosts were defeated 4-1 by Rudy Garcia's Belgium at Seattle Stadium in a match that secured their place in the tournament's quarterfinals.
The goals: De Ketelaere scored a brace in the 9th and 33rd minutes, Hans Vanaken in the 57th minute, and Romelo Lukaku's fourth in the 93rd. The Americans' vain hope was dashed in the 31st minute by Malik Tillman.
The US defeat comes amid controversy over Donald Trump's interference in the case of striker Balogun, who was suspended from his match suspension and played regularly (without making an impact). The American president confirmed that he called FIFA head Infantino: "Yes, I did. It wasn't a foul; the referee who sent him off during the Bosnia match was a bit suspicious, and I asked for a review." "Trump called me, but FIFA's judicial bodies are independent," Infantino defended himself.
A case that, however, triggered the ire of UEFA, according to which "FIFA has crossed a red line, undermining the credibility of the World Cup."
(Unioneonline)
