Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin has admitted Belgium were fired up to hand the United States a hammering thanks to the World Cup co-hosts’ striker Folarin Balogun having his one-match ban suspended before the last-16 clash between the sides.
Balogun was set to miss the match in Seattle as a result of being shown a straight red in his side’s previous clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina for standing on the ankle of defender Tarik Muharemovic.
However, FIFA sparked fury on Sunday when suspending his ban for 12 months after US president Donald Trump had place a call to Gianni Infantino, president of world football’s governing body, to ask him to ‘review’ the decision.
Raskin (middle) celebrates with Belgian team-mates de Cuyper and Trossard
Despite Balogun’s controversial reprieve, though, Belgium dished out a 4-1 thrashing and Raskin made no secret of the fact the heated build-up played a part in his side’s display.
‘A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days,’ he said afterwards. ‘There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field.’
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans added: ‘We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That’s what we did.’
After Belgium scored their fourth goal, a number of their players danced in the style used by Trump during many of his public appearances. The Belgium FA also used a photo of striker Romelu Lukaku cupping his ear to the crowd with the caption ‘overturn this’.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia revealed Balogun ‘came to talk’ with him after the final whistle.
‘I really liked that,’ he said. ‘It’s not his fault. He’s not the one to blame and that’s what I told him.
‘Regardless of the US starting line-up, what really mattered to us was our game plan. The group is very mature. I told them what matters the most is us.’
