After 36 hours of sporting politics that threatened to engulf the World Cup, justice was served by Belgium as they rose above the noise to knock out the co-hosts.
The scandal that surrounded the reinstatement of Folarin Balogun after his ban for a straight red card was suspended by FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee had raged on right up until kick-off, with the Belgian Football Association noting they had not been shown any of the documents to do with the case and would consider all further action if they were beaten.
This did not happen. In a powder keg of an atmosphere on the West Coast, Belgium silenced the partisan crowd, as the US did not live up to the occasion.
For most, it was the biggest game of their careers. A chance to right the wrongs of previous tournaments on home soil, a chance to show that this sleeping giant of world football was finally awake. Instead, it turned into a nightmare.
De Ketelaere was at his best in this game. A languid player, he has looked more student than master at this World Cup, but on Monday, he repaid the faith to start him over Romelu Lukaku by coach Rudi Garcia.
A striker’s instinct was on show as he tapped home the first, before he showed his aerial prowess to rise above Tim Ream and head home. Malik Tillman had scored in between these two goals to give the home fans some hope, but it was forlorn.
Down and out
Storms come and go in sport, but the one surrounding Balogun was one not seen for some time. It had involved both FIFA and US presidents, the latter gloating he had been involved in getting the ban overturned, as well as national and continental governing bodies. Some will argue the red card given to him in the round of 32 clash was unfair, the VAR process for the referee to change his decision was wrong, but in none of this have we considered the player.
He started up top for the USA, as he had done throughout the tournament, but the energetic spark seen in the group stage was lost. This was his weakest showing at the World Cup - the last couple of days in the spotlight cannot have helped him on the pitch.
It took him more than 80 minutes to really find an opening, and even then, Thibaut Courtois stood tall to deny him.
That moment typified a strong and professional performance from the Real Madrid stopper - the same could not be said for his opposite number, Matthew Freese. Defensively, this was the USA's worst showing of the World Cup, and they were duly punished.
His disastrous error in the second half saw him in no man’s land, powerless to stop Hans Vanaken’s 35-yard strike that rolled into an empty net - killing this game off as a contest. Romelu Lukaku added insult to injury late on with their fourth, a goal enjoyed by the Red Devils' X account.
In essence, Belgium, who have flattered to deceive for much of this tournament, had the quality in the big moments to beat this US side. This priceless moment for the hosts passed them by.
As Belgium progress to a quarter-final against Spain, the USA will hope this home tournament can build something in this nation that has taken this team to their hearts, something that did not happen in 1994.
For FIFA, this result puts an end to a saga that threatened to blow over. Infantino can sleep easily knowing all’s well that ends well for him, unless Donald Trump decides he can make another phone call. After a result like that, Infantino would be wise to keep his device on silent.
Josh Donaldson is a Global Senior Editor and International Football Specialist for Flashscore. From the UK, now living in Prague, Josh specialises in football and cycling and can be found at an obscure ground watching games or on his bike. You can follow Josh on X and read his articles here.
