Belgium vs USA has an extra dimension tonight, beyond it pitting one of Europe’s strongest sides against one of the World Cup co-hosts.
After US president Donald Trump called Fifa boss Gianni Infantino and managed to have Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban suspended, the USA striker is set to feature in Seattle.
And he could be crucial here, having scored three goals in three games, including in USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the last 32. For all the criticism of the decision to send Balogun off in that game, there has been even greater outrage at Fifa’s move to delay his ban by a year.
That is the backdrop as Belgium aim to live up to their status as one of the most-talented outfits in the tournament – a status they have not underlined with their results so far, including in the last 32, when they needed a miraculous comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 at the death.
Follow all the action from the World Cup last-16 game below:
USA and Belgium fans arrive in Seattle
Pulisic highlights USA mindset in pursuit of World Cup last eight
“Because we’re Americans, that’s what we do. We believe anything is possible,” Pulisic said. “We’re a team that’s going to fight and we’re going to give it everything we got and we believe that we can win this thing.
“So I’d say that’s a good reason to believe.”
Leandro Trossard to decide World Cup last 16 tie? L
Leandro Trossard looks like a man in form and able to decide this World Cup last 16 tie against the USA.
The Arsenal winger, strongly linked with a move to Besiktas, is second in the rankings for key passes, according to WhoScored.
Trossard has 4.0, which ranks him 0.5 behind leader Ferdi Kadioglu of Turkey.
Pochettino congratulates Fifa over Balogun decision
“There’s nothing to debate, it’s something to congratulate FIFA for. That decision is fantastic. Not only because we have another player, but also for the sake of football. The red card was unfair.”
Pulisic on Balogun’s reaction to red card reprieve
Pulisic described the Balogun red card as “super harsh” and welcomed FIFA’s decision.
“He’s obviously super happy, man … you want to be able to play in games like this.”
Pulisic on Belgium test in World Cup last 16
“We know what they (Belgium) have to offer,” he told reporters on Sunday. “They have really talented players that can make a difference really quick.
“But we’re not going to completely reinvent our style either. Of course, we want to be aggressive and try to hurt them, as we have to other teams this tournament We have confidence regardless of the game in March.
“We know what we can do.”We think we can hang not just hang, but dominate spells of the game against some of the best teams … I think we have the right to feel confident.”
British MP writes to Infantino to use Balogun precedent to delay Quansah ban
Fifa rejects Belgium appeal over suspension of Balogun ban before last 16 clash
FIFA dismissed Belgium’s challenge to United States striker Folarin Balogun’s eligibility for Monday’s World Cuplast-16 showdown as ‘inadmissible’, leaving the European side to approach the U.S. Soccer Federation to contest his inclusion. FIFA suspended Balogun’s red-card ban and cleared him to play in the last-16 tie after U.S. President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the case. Infantino denied being involved in the final decision.
“The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered a request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as inadmissible,” FIFA said in a statement. “The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision.”
Uefa says Fifa ‘crossed a red line’ with Balogun red card U-turn
Uefa lashed out on Monday at Fifa’s decision to suspend U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red-card ban
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” UEFA said on Monday, adding that “Yesterday’s decision … crossed a red line”. “When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.”
