After days of heated debate, political interference and unprecedented controversy over the overturning of his red card suspension, Folarin Balogun’s return to the U.S. squad proved ineffective as Belgium won convincingly 4-1 in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup on Monday.Balogun’s introduction made global soccer headlines after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban, but he struggled to influence the proceedings as the United States crashed out. The Monaco striker failed to score and touched the ball just 10 times in the first half, the fewest of any player on the field at the time, a performance that was in stark contrast to the attention he has received since his return.The loss also continued a painful trend for the United States, which has seen them eliminated in the round of 16 in six of their seven games at this stage. fifa world cupincluding their last four knockout performances.
A free kick was his only major contribution
Balogun’s most significant performance came in the 31st minute when he was brought down by Belgian defender Brandon Mechele about 25 yards from goal. Malik Tillman took a free kick into the net and the score was temporarily tied at 1-1.Shortly before the set-piece, Balogun tried to cheer up the home fans by waving his arms into the stands, but Belgium quickly regained control and restored their advantage just over a minute later.The United States repeatedly tried to exploit Balogun’s pace at the Belgian defence, but the forward found goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in fine form. His best chance came in the 82nd minute, but Courtois’ left-footed shot was blocked. Balogun was eventually replaced by Alhaji Wright in second-half stoppage time.Also read: Romelu Lukaku writes unique World Cup history with super-sub feat as Belgium ends Team USA’s dream
From FIFA storm to quiet exit
FIFA took the extraordinary step of suspending Balogun’s automatic one-match ban after he was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with his subsequent inclusion casting a pall over the team’s development.The striker was sent off after Brazilian referee Rafael Klaus reviewed an incident in which Balogun stepped on an opponent’s ankle, automatically ruling him out of the match against Belgium.However, after a phone call with the President of the United States Donald Trump FIFA president Gianni Infantino and FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend the sanctions for one year. Balogun remains eligible to play but was fined $40,000, which can be paid by U.S. Soccer.The decision sparked widespread criticism across football. UEFA accused FIFA of “crossing a red line”, Belgium questioned Balogun’s qualifications and fans chanted “FIFA Mafia” as they marched to Seattle’s Lumen Arena before kick-off.Balogun enjoyed a memorable campaign heading into the knockout stages, tying Landon Donovan’s 2010 World Cup goal tally with three goals for the United States’ second-highest total in a single World Cup, trailing only Bert Patenaude’s four goals in 1930. He also became the first American player since Patnaud to score twice in a World Cup game.But after days of unprecedented controversy and worldwide attention, Balogun’s controversial return proved to be a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo as Belgium easily ended the United States’ hopes of a World Cup fairy tale at home.
