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.
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.
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Belgium Rub Salt Into USMNT Wounds
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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.”
Arsenal have opened talks to sign a Manchester City midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s young options.
It’s not so often you see players move between Arsenal and Man City, although there have been a handful in recent years.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are two recent examples, but there’s unlikely to be too many in the future due to their Premier League rivalry.
The Gunners are in the market for reinforcements this summer as they aim to build on what was a phenomenal 25/26 season.
The North London club will be hoping to go one better in the Champions League and lift the trophy, but they will also aim to win the Premier League title once again.
City are hoping to keep hold of the 16-year-old talent and have offered him a new contract, believed to be one of the biggest financially for a player his age in Europe.
Parker, described as a ‘powerhouse’, is yet to commit his long-term future to City, which has alerted a number of clubs around Europe, including Arsenal.
The Gunners are set to face competition from a number of clubs, including Premier League sides. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are also keen, while Real Madrid are aware of his situation.
The Midlands club have slapped a £130m price tag on his head, and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will get close to that figure.
Arsenal are looking to bring in young talent from around the world, but they will also be looking to add new signings to improve the senior squad.
Mikel Arteta’s side certainly don’t need to panic when it comes to additions for the first team after such an impressive 25-26 season, which saw them win the Premier League title.
Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign Ajax sensation Seun Steur in a deal worth around £20m, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Magpies have had a busy window so far after selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70m, while a deal for Sandro Tonali to join Tottenham Hotspur for £100m was completed earlier this week.
That has allowed the club to seal a deal for Bazoumana Toure in attack, while they are also pushing to sign World Cup star Johan Manzambi to bolster their midfield. But they have now moved ahead with a deal for another midfield star to help Eddie Howe.
Manchester United could be in the market for a new defender in the summer transfer window as they look to improve Michael Carrick’s squad.
The Red Devils have been heavily focusing on signing midfielders so far this summer, but they have struggled to get deals over the line.
A move for Ederson appears to be reaching a conclusion, especially now the Brazilian midfielder has been knocked out of the World Cup.
After securing the signatures of some new additions in the middle of the park, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see United move on to different areas of the pitch.
There is no doubt the midfield is a major priority, but due to competing in the Champions League, they will need to reinforce multiple areas.
The Red Devils face competition from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and they are actively seeking reinforcements in defence.
The Bundesliga club could charge up to £43m to allow Coulibaly to depart this summer. At the age of 19, he’s seen as a potential long-term investment for interested parties.
Werder Bremen are hoping to keep Coulibaly, described as ‘elite’, for another season, whether that be through rejecting any potential bids or inserting a loan-back clause in any deal.
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Signing a midfielder has to be a priority
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Despite links to signing a new defender, Manchester United have to prioritise bringing in midfield additions in the summer transfer window.
They are yet to confirm a new signing in the middle of the park, and although there is plenty of time remaining, they could continue to miss out on key targets.
With Casemiro already through the exit door and Manuel Ugarte suffering a serious injury, United are desperate for midfield reinforcements.
Mateus Fernandes and Elliot Anderson were both key targets for the Red Devils, but they failed to get their signatures as they moved to other Premier League clubs.
