Belgium's 4-1 knockout win over U.S. World Cup team called 'justice'

SEATTLE (AP) — Shortly after Romelu Lukaku scored the goal that capped a commanding 4-1 win over the United States, Belgium’s all-time leading goal scorer held his right hand to his ear.

On American soil, and in the aftermath of star U.S. forward Folarin Balogun being permitted to play after a one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, Lukaku egged on the crowd of 66,925 at Lumen Field. The Red Devils then took to social media to poke more fun in light of what they considered no laughing matter, posting above the photo the words: “Overturn this.”

“There’s always a justice somewhere in life,” Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin said. “The fact that something happened like that, we don’t think that was fair. And today, I think it just brings us a little bit of [motivation] that we needed to win the game.”

The Belgian soccer federation wanted an explanation from FIFA about the decision to let Balogun play. Many of Belgium’s players, though, insisted they didn’t need any additional motivation for Monday’s match.

Belgium extended its unbeaten streak to 18 games, and knocked out the U.S. in the round of 16 for the second time in 12 years.