Belgium reacted to their emphatic 4-1 victory over the United States at the 2026 World Cup with two savage tweets, both of which have gone viral.

The Belgians couldn’t resist rubbing salts into American wounds following FIFA’s hugely controversial decision to allow USMNT forward Florian Balogun to play in the last 16 fixture.

Balogun was sent off in USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32, but FIFA suspended the 25-year-old’s one-match ban after US President Donald Trump intervened.

Trump has close ties with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, who denied accusations that the decision was influenced by the president.

However, FIFA’s decision has been widely condemned, with UEFA calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.

Although Balogun was cleared to play, the former Arsenal striker failed to prevent the USA slumping to a heavy 4-1 defeat at the Seattle Stadium on Monday night.

Charles De Ketelaere opened the scoring for Belgium in the ninth minute before Malik Tillman equalised after 30 minutes. De Ketelaere then restored the Red Devils’ advantage minutes later.

Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku ensured that it’s Belgium, rather than Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT, who will face Spain at the Los Angeles Stadium in the quarter-finals on Friday after scoring in the second half.

Belgium Rub Salt Into USMNT Wounds

Reuters/Blake Dahlin

The result reduces the prospect of FIFA facing potential legal action from Belgium. In response to Balogun’s one-game ban being suspended, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) warned prior to kick-off: “The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet. This leaves all further actions open.”

However, the X (Twitter) account of the Belgium national team couldn’t resist firing two parting shots at the United States following their last 16 victory.

They posted photos of Belgium’s players celebrating alongside the caption: “Overturn this.” See the tweet below:

A second tweet featured the scoreline and the caption: “It’s called s̶o̶c̶c̶e̶r̶ FOOTBALLl.”

Asked if he’d used the pre-match controversy to motivate his players against the US, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia told reporters: “No, it wasn’t at all necessary. What really mattered to us was our game plan.

“We wanted to dominate the ‌game, avoid their ‌pressing and play higher up. We played with mastery, with ‌willingness ⁠and dedication. It ⁠was a great night for us and a great qualification for the quarter-finals.”

Meanwhile, Pochettino was disappointed his side failed to produce the goods when it mattered most.

“We didn’t show our real quality as ​a team,” the Argentine said, per Reuters. “We never connected with the game. Belgium were better than us, and that’s it.

“It was a very bad day. It wasn’t our day, collectively or individually. In a tournament like the ​World Cup, when that happens in a knockout stage, you are out and you need ​to go home.”

Tottenham have been told to pay £68m if they want to sign Como attacking midfielder Martin Baturina after holding talks with the Croatian international.

Baturina has recently been competing at the World Cup with Croatia, before they were knocked out by Portugal in the round of 32.

Interest has been building in the 23-year-old, especially after a strong tournament despite not being able to help Croatia reach the round of 16.

Tottenham are in the market for reinforcements in the summer transfer window despite already making six new additions.

Martin Dubravka, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan-Paul van Hecke have all signed on the dotted line at Tottenham.

Despite the six additions, it appears their business is not over just yet.

Tottenham told price after talks

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

According to a report from 24 Sata (via Sport Witness), Tottenham have been told by Serie A side Como that Baturina will be allowed to leave the club for a fee around £68 million in the summer transfer window.

Tottenham have had talks with Como ahead of a potential move, and they’ve now been told what it will take to get him out of the Italian outfit.

Spurs will face competition from Bayern Munich, among others, and his price tag has increased after his World Cup displays.

Como are in a strong negotiating position with the Croatian international, described as a ‘magician’, as he is tied down under contract until 2030.

Whether Tottenham can beat a club like Bayern Munich in the race remains to be seen, while the £68m price tag does seem hefty.

Tottenham enjoying impressive window

Even if Tottenham’s transfer window ended right now, they’d still be in a better position than they were at the end of last season.

They’re making some excellent signings to improve the starting eleven and raise the floor of De Zerbi’s squad.

Considering they’ve made all their new additions by early July, they’re still likely to bring in a host of new signings before the end of the window.

Tottenham have heavily strengthened in midfield and defence so far in the transfer window. It wouldn’t be a surprise if their attention turned to improving their forward line in the coming weeks.

On paper, it looked set to be one of the most thrilling matches at the 2026 World Cup so far. Truth be told, Spain vs Portugal was as dull as dishwater, although it has led to Roberto Martinez quitting.

Both teams came into the tournament as strong favourites to go all the way, but it was Martinez’s men who were dumped out at the Round of 16 stage. Cristiano Ronaldo exited the pitch in tears – in what was surely his last ever outing at a World Cup – after Mikel Merino kept his cool to slot home the only goal of the game.

That strike in the 91st minute was one of few incidents in the 1-0 win, but there was another eye-catching moment late on when former Manchester City teammates Rodri and Bernardo Silva clashed.

Rodri Sends Message to Silva After World Cup Clash

With the score at 1-0, Silva had a chance to steal an instant equaliser, but he could not get over the ball, as his header sailed over the crossbar. It was a difficult outing for the ex-Man City star, who has recently signed a contract with Real Madrid, but he didn’t get any sympathy from his former teammate.

Indeed, Rodri stood over Silva with the Portuguese star on the floor after his miss. Something was clearly said as the two were soon caught in a verbal spat and the Real Madrid man had to be calmed down as he angrily wagged his finger at the Spanish.

Seeing as the pair have so much positive history together – having won four Premier League titles and the Champions League at City – it was rather eye-catching that such an ill-tempered moment erupted between them on the pitch. However, after going on to win the game, Rodri appears to have calmed down.

Speaking to the press, he took responsibility and apologised to Silva, saying:

At the time of writing, Silva has yet to respond.

Wayne Rooney Offers Instant Thoughts On Ronaldo’s World Cup Exit

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jerome

While there was plenty of focus on this moment between Silva and Rodri, all eyes were really on Ronaldo at full time. The 41-year-old will now almost certainly finish his career without ever winning the World Cup.

Already, pundits are looking forward, wondering what is in store for Portugal without their veteran striker. On this matter, pundit and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport:

“This is the start of a new era when you lose a player like Ronaldo. Maybe a few players have felt [they were] in the shadow of him – which is normal because of what he has done in the game. For other players, it’s time to go and be the main man for Portugal. It’s a new opportunity for senior players to take responsibility and for younger players to come through.”

Spain will now face the winner of the US or Belgium in the quarter-final.