Donald Trump\u2019s well-known Y.M.C.A.-style dance became the backdrop for a very different kind of celebration on Monday night, after Belgium\u2019s players effectively hijacked his signature moves following his intervention in the build-up to their World Cup knockout clash with the United States.<\/p>\n
Belgium\u2019s squad echoed Trump\u2019s distinctive fist-pumping sways as they ran out winners in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 4-1 thrashing of the co-hosts. The celebrations spilled onto the pitch and continued in the dressing room, with the team dancing and singing the song as their momentum carried them through the match.<\/p>\n
Before kickoff, Trump, 80, contacted FIFA and urged that a review be carried out into a one-game ban affecting US forward Folarin Balogun. The move sparked widespread surprise and anger, particularly as it resulted in the suspension being lifted.<\/p>\n
Balogun\u2019s ban was overturned, allowing him to take part in the game after it had initially been put in place. The decision reshaped the contest\u2019s narrative heading into the final whistle, with Belgium making it clear they had been driven by the outcome.<\/p>\n
Belgian captain Youri Tielemans said the team had been energised by the ruling and the reaction surrounding it. He explained that Belgium had focused on settling matters through football rather than debate, adding that they felt compelled to handle everything on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That\u2019s what we did today,\u201d Tielemans said.<\/p>\n
Trump, whose Y.M.C.A. dance is a familiar feature at rallies and speeches, has long used the routine to spark cheers from his supporters, but on this occasion Belgium turned it into a match-day statement of their own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Donald Trump\u2019s well-known Y.M.C.A.-style dance became the backdrop for a very different kind of celebration on Monday night, after Belgium\u2019s players effectively hijacked his signature moves following his intervention in the build-up to their World Cup knockout clash with the United States. Belgium\u2019s squad echoed Trump\u2019s distinctive fist-pumping sways as they ran out winners in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Belgium vs USA: World Cup Knockout Win, Dance Hijack","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Belgium turned Trump\u2019s YMCA dance into a World Cup celebration, hijacking the moment as they thrashed USA 4-1 in a knockout clash.","mma_seo_breadcrumb_text":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_url":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_hide_ui":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_labels":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n