Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said the squad’s approach to Monday’s World Cup clash with the United States was fuelled by the unrest surrounding Folarin Balogun, after the Red Devils delivered a 4-1 win over the World Cup co-hosts.
Balogun drama sparks Belgium unity
Tielemans explained that Belgium held a team meeting after Balogun received a surprise reprieve from FIFA, with the players agreeing they would respond on the pitch.
“Let’s be honest: we held a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said, reflecting on the atmosphere inside the camp.
The Aston Villa midfielder added that the group’s focus was to translate emotion into performance.
“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,” he said in comments carried by Belgium’s RTBF broadcaster.
FIFA suspension lifted after US political intervention
Balogun was included in the United States line-up on Monday following FIFA’s suspension of his one-match ban, which had been triggered by a sending off in the last 32. Despite being cleared to feature, he struggled to make a significant impact during the match.
The decision to allow him back drew widespread criticism within football, coming after an intervention by US President Donald Trump.
Belgium players and coach respond after the whistle
Tielemans’ team-mates echoed the captain’s message about the squad’s mindset and determination to answer the controversy through their football.
- Nicolas Raskin said there was “a sense of injustice within the squad” and that Belgium was set on reacting “on the field.”
- Dodi Lukebakio admitted the team “didn’t understand really why he was allowed to play, because he got the red card,” while insisting they stayed focused on producing their performance.
Lukebakio added: “That’s what we did today. So we are very happy, very proud, and what is all around us is not our problem.”
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had also been highly critical of FIFA’s call before kick-off, telling reporters that the ruling looked like a prank from “April Fool’s Day.”
However, Garcia adopted a calmer tone after the match, arguing that any extra drive from the Balogun affair “wasn’t needed or necessary.”
- Garcia said he informed the players about what was happening, adding that the group is “very mature” with leaders to help them process events.
- He stressed that what mattered most was Belgium’s own plan and identity.
Garcia also welcomed Balogun’s direct approach to him following the game, saying the meeting helped remove blame from the player.
“He came to talk to me. I really like that. It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame, and that’s what I told him,” Garcia said. “I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me.”
4-1 win delivers statement on the pitch
Although the controversy dominated the build-up, Monday’s match itself proved one-sided. The United States rarely troubled Belgium, with their main moment coming when a deflected Malik Tillman free kick forced the issue.
Garcia still delivered praise to the defeated opponents, describing them as having put in “a great World Cup, regardless of this last game.”
He said Belgium’s success came from sticking to their strategy.
“What really mattered to us is our game plan… The US team is dynamic and full of energy,” Garcia noted.
Tielemans highlighted the desire for a faster start, claiming Belgium had been missing that earlier in the tournament.
“We played with real grit,” he said. “We wanted to get off to a good start – something we’d been missing earlier in the tournament.
“We knew that if we put them under pressure, they’d make mistakes.”
