The upside?
This World Cup is now all about Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Spain’s clean sheets, Harry Kane’s Grover voice and the rest. No more arguments about eligibility. The Article 27-era lasted 30 or so hours, and is now hopefully shut down for good.
On an extraordinary Monday that saw a President, Secretary of State, Senator, and others weigh in on the affairs of FIFA, Europe’s soccer governing body cry foul, soccer insiders and pundits wonder whether the rule of soccer law had taken a back seat to the cozy relationship between Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and Americans once divide themselves into corners thanks to a decision made by their President, Belgium knocked off the United States, 4-1, in a Round of 16 affair in Seattle, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that even with Folarin Balogun in the lineup, the Americans weren’t ready to move on and make history.
On a day that started with Trump confirming that he indeed called Infantino to inquire about the review process for Balogun’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Infantino screaming into the wind that FIFA’s evocation of Article 27, which gives itself the authority to suspend disciplinary matters and thus reinstate Balogun for the Belgium game, was a completely, totally independent decision, regardless of political pressure, ended with the United States coming out of the gates inexplicably laggard, and making far too many mistakes against another European soccer stalwart all too happy to show off its supremacy, on America’s soil.
“Overturn this,” the Belgium soccer federation wrote on X, with a picture of Romelu Lukaku celebrating his late goal that not only ended all U.S. hope, but certified the contest, after all the hype and hubbub, as a blowout. Belgium’s players did the Trump dance to celebrate.
Belgium seized momentum early. In the ninth minute, American defender Alex Freeman headed a ball up in the box: a trio of U.S. players, instead of clearing it out, let the it drop, permitting Belgium’s Nicolas Raskin to dribble near the goal and cross it to Charles De Ketelaere, who snuck behind American captain Tim Ream to give Belgium an early 1-0 lead. For the first time in a meaningful game, the U.S. trailed at this World Cup.
Malik Tillman, the German-born midfielder with a U.S. serviceman father, gave the Americans hope in the 31st minute, with another brilliant free kick: in trying to defend Tillman’s arcing ball, Hans Vanaken of Belgium got his head on it, barely, changing the shot’s direction just enough to put it past Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois and even the game.
The Americans had the sort of momentum that seemed to carry them in prior wins at this World Cup. Especially at Seattle Stadium, a famously loud facility. But the U.S. squandered a good thing: some two minutes later, De Ketelaere rose above Ream on a cross to score his second goal.
Real heartbreak came early in the second half. With his team trailing 2-1, American keeper Matt Freese, positioned above the 18-yard-box, was about to clear the ball. But he stopped his kicking motion, allowing De Ketelaere to take it from him. The ball came to Vanaken, who took advantage of an unprotected net to score and give Belgium a 3-1 lead. De Ketelaere, who plays for Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A, had now played a role in all three of Belgium’s goals.
The U.S., to its credit, fought. Sebastian Berhalter sent an attempt just wide right before the 80th minute: despite the near-miss, Berhalter pumped his arms, trying to rile up the crowd, and his teammates. Balogun, man of the last 30 hours, had his chance a few minutes later: but he fired a shot right at Courtois, who stuffed him. Balogun was quiet on the evening: in a few instances, he opted to pass balls that looked ripe for shooting.
In the 93rd minute, Belgium showed its class, its muscle, and why the country reached the World Cup semis eight years ago, and is a threat to do so again. The weakened Americans tried to haplessly clear the ball against Belgium’s press: Chris Richards bounced a pass off of Vanaken, and the ball found Lukaku for the it’s really over goal. Belgium is deep enough to bring Lukaku, the country’s all-time leading goal scorer, off the bench: he didn’t check in until the 67th minute, his team already up by two goals.
The Americans had been game-planning for Belgium without Balogun: it’s fair to wonder if Balogun’s sudden reinstatement on Sunday threw off the team’s mojo coming into the game. Christian Pulisic, whose commercial appearances-to-goals-scored ratio at this World Cup clocked in at about 100-to-0, lost possession 11 times in just the first 45 minutes, according to ESPN FC, the most of any player on the field. Why was he in such poor form on such a big stage? After another Round of 16 elimination, the Americans have time to ask these kinds of questions, and search for answers.
Another World Cup, another exit at the hands of Europe at this stage—Belgium in 2014, the Netherlands four years ago, Belgium again. The Red Devils face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Stars and Stripes go home, having failed to reach the same quarterfinal level, on home soil, that they did in South Korea 24 years ago. The team’s World Cup romp through the group stage was thrilling. It’s knockout win over Bosnia the sign of a team intent on taking care of business. But the weak start, and silly mistakes, against Belgium will linger in the American sporting consciousness.
Article 27 won’t ease that pain.
