{"id":185438,"date":"2026-07-06T14:48:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T18:48:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/the-rematch-everyone-was-waiting-for\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T14:54:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T18:54:31","slug":"the-rematch-everyone-was-waiting-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/en\/the-rematch-everyone-was-waiting-for\/","title":{"rendered":"The rematch everyone was waiting for"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Belgian national team defeated the United States 2-1 in extra time, with goals by Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne; Twelve years later, they all met again under different circumstances, with the U.S. team even entering the rematch at home in Seattle as the favorite, amid controversy over FIFA\u2019s one-match suspension of Folarin Balogun.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, the FIFA<\/a> Disciplinary Committee suspended the sanction against the U.S. team\u2019s leading scorer in this year\u2019s tournament\u2014imposed for his red-card ejection in the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina\u2014for a one-year probationary period, making him available for the match, amid a mix of astonishment and protest from the Belgian Football Federation, which issued an official statement announcing that it is \u201cexploring all possible options.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The United States enters the match as the favorite against a Belgium team plagued by doubts<\/h2>\n
\"United
PHOTO: Instagram of the Belgium National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A two-goal scorer in the 4-1 win over Paraguay and a one-goal scorer against the Bosnian team\u2014scoring with his left foot just before halftime off a rebound (he had also scored a goal at the half-hour mark that was ultimately disallowed)\u2014Balogun was later sent off in that match.<\/p>\n

This was caused by an accidental stomp on the ankle during a scuffle with Tarek Muharemovic.<\/p>\n

Beyond the uproar caused by FIFA\u2019s surprising decision\u2014which U.S. President Donald Trump celebrated on his social media platform \u201cTruth\u201d\u2014Belgium has yet to prove, throughout the 2026 World Cup, that it is still the team it once was.<\/p>\n

On the brink of elimination in the Round of 32 against Senegal.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the United States has felt confident with the style instilled in it by Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino.<\/p>\n

Winner of three of its four matches: 4-1 over Paraguay, 2-0 over Australia, and, in the qualifiers, 2-0 over Bosnia.<\/p>\n

While Spain or Portugal loom on the horizon for the quarterfinals, the U.S. team has been more decisive and effective than Belgium (Filed under: United States vs. Belgium).<\/p>\n

Belgium is counting on Lukaku<\/h2>\n
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A post shared by Belgian Red Devils (@belgianreddevils)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n