Belgium ended the United States’ home World Cup with a ruthless 4-1 victory in Seattle, a result that was as emphatic on the pitch as it was loaded with symbolism off it. Charles De Ketelaere struck twice in the first half, first tapping in a Nicolas Raskin cutback after nine minutes and then heading home a Leandro Trossard cross barely two minutes after Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick had briefly levelled the tie. A calamitous error by goalkeeper Matt Freese, who was dispossessed outside his area, allowed Hans Vanaken to roll the ball into an empty net early in the second half, before substitute Romelu Lukaku added a fourth in stoppage time to complete the rout.

The match was played under the shadow of an unprecedented intervention. Folarin Balogun, the American striker, had been sent off in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-match suspension. After a phone call from President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the governing body’s disciplinary committee suspended the ban, clearing Balogun to start. The decision drew a furious response from the Royal Belgian Football Association, whose appeal was dismissed, and from UEFA, which accused FIFA of having “crossed a red line”. On the field, Balogun was largely anonymous, managing only a handful of touches and a late shot saved by Thibaut Courtois. Belgium’s players channelled their indignation into a dominant performance, then celebrated Lukaku’s goal by mimicking Trump’s signature dance, while the team’s official social media account posted an image of the striker with the caption “Overturn this”.

Belgian captain Youri Tielemans later revealed the squad had held a meeting after learning of the reprieve, vowing to “do our talking on the pitch”. Nicolas Raskin spoke of a “sense of injustice” that hardened their resolve. US coach Mauricio Pochettino, while refusing to blame the controversy for his side’s disjointed display, expressed personal frustration at the “politics and manipulation” that had engulfed the build-up, revealing he had received threats and abusive messages. Balogun himself acknowledged the decision was “controversial” but stressed he had no role in the process.

The fallout rippled far beyond Seattle. European football officials, viewing the episode from Brussels and Nyon, condemned what they saw as political interference eroding the integrity of the competition. In London, England’s Football Association began examining whether to appeal a red card shown to Jarell Quansah, citing the Balogun precedent. The result also meant all three co-hosts – the United States, Canada and Mexico – were eliminated in the round of 16. Belgium now advance to a quarter-final against Spain in Los Angeles, a fixture that will be watched as much for its football as for the questions still swirling around the sport’s governance.