Balogun move backfires in Belgian blitz

A first-half double by Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere (17) inspired Belgium to the 4-1 trouncing of the US in a Fifa World Cup Round of 16 match on July 6. (EPA Images pic)

PETALING JAYA: If justice was not done in Fifa’s kangaroo court, it was seen to be done on the field.

Belgium, seething after the US’s main threat, Folarin Balogun, was outrageously reinstated by the blatant rule-bending of Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, delivered a decisive verdict.

It seemed that the entire US team, not just Balogun, found the embarrassment too heavy a burden against the world’s ninth-ranked team.

Stung by an early goal, they wilted against superior opponents. Even their goal owed much to a wicked deflection that sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way and they never seriously threatened.

Prior to the match, Fifa controversially suspended US striker Folarin Balogun’s punishment for a red card received from the previous game after President Donald Trump intervened.(EPA Images pic)

So the much-hyped USMNT were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition to widespread delight around the world after the favouritism shown by the governing body.

But as we revel in our schadenfreude, we should spare a thought for the American players, Balogun in particular.

They had played above themselves to help light up the early rounds and win over their own domestic cynics. But they were out of their depth in the last 16.

Balogun’s three goals had carried them through and it was a hammer blow when he was suspended.

The 25-year-old Monaco striker had been wrongly sent off after accidentally falling on Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic.

He had scored during their 2-0 win, but Fifa insisted there could be no appeal. He was also fined US$40,000.

But even with him restored, the US were outclassed by a Belgian side in transition from its Golden Generation.

The Europeans even left three of their biggest names on the bench. Was there a whiff of contempt about that decision?

As it is, Kevin De Bruyne has been given a welcome respite.

In Seattle’s stunning stadium, defending that was not even third-tier quality allowed the Belgians to capitalise and get off to a flying start.

Belgian substitute Romelu Lukaku took the score to 4-1 in stoppage time to seal a deserved victory against the USA at the Seattle Stadum in front of 66,925 spectators. (EPA Images pic)

A Malik Tillman free-kick took a wicked deflection to give the packed crowd hope before a comedy of errors led to the third.

Romelu Lukaku then came on to add gloss to an already convincing win with a superb fourth.

Could it be that the furore worked against the Americans, who were shadows of the team that had played in the early games?

US’s Malik Tillman briefly brought the score level at 1-1 in the 31st minute with a well‑taken free kick. (EPA Images pic)

If so, they were victims of their own president’s interference, which will not win him many votes.

It wasn’t just an own goal; it was a supreme irony.

Balogun, himself, carried the burden for this unforgivable chicanery and was let down by catastrophic defending.

US goalkeeper Matt Freese shows his disappointment after committing a costly error which led to Belgium’s third goal.(EPA Images pic)

The irony was almost surreal. The Belgian jersey was a tribute to the surrealist artist René Magritte, who could never have imagined anything like this unfolding saga.

The fact is that the striker may have suffered something worse than a mere suspension had Trump had his original wish.

Balogun acquired US citizenship by birth after his Nigerian mother was unable to return home to London from a trip to New York because she was too far advanced in her pregnancy to fly.

She took her newborn son back to Britain when he was one month old, where he ⁠would grow up and represent England at junior levels. He joined Arsenal before eventually choosing to represent the US.

Trump has repeatedly called for the ending of birthright citizenship, and his attempt was defeated by the US Supreme Court only last week.

Had the president’s move been upheld, Balogun could have been one of millions of “accidental Americans” to be kicked out of the country.

He had earned shoutouts from America’s biggest sports star, LeBron James, as he mimicked the NBA legend’s “Silencer” celebration on the pitch.

But the dream turned into a nightmare.

Now, at least he can return to his club in Monaco without having to worry about his citizenship.

In the end, the US’s only goal came from a deflection, but Belgium got assists from Trump and Infantino.