​Belgian superstar goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has never been shy about voicing his opinions, and this time his criticism targeted the United States and Donald Trump. Courtois and his team felt they were “disrespected” by FIFA’s decision to permit United States striker Folarin Balogun to participate in Monday night’s match. The situation, coupled with the controversial course of events surrounding Balogun’s eligibility, cast a pall over what many hoped would be a straightforward clash. Yet the tournament’s drama intensified when Courtois sustained an injury in the second half of Friday’s quarterfinal against Spain, forcing him to be subbed out. His exit left him perched on the sidelines, watching as his replacement stumbled at a critical moment, allowing Spain to score a late second-half goal.
Earlier that Sunday, FIFA announced that Balogun would be eligible to play against Belgium, despite expectations that he would miss the Belgium game due to an automatic suspension stemming from a red card in the prior match. The decision was unprecedented and provoked widespread outrage, especially after President Trump confirmed that he had personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s foul and punishment. The revelation spurred some American supporters to rally behind Belgium rather than the United States. Belgium voiced strong reactions to the developments, even warning that Balogun’s inclusion in the lineup could invite further actions. And true to the warning, Balogun did start in the match against Belgium, yet Belgium did not hesitate to confront the United States, ultimately prevailing 4-1 while also using the moment to lampoon Trump on the pitch.
Following the triumph, Courtois addressed the victory and the surrounding controversy, reflecting on the sense of being disrespected. Speaking to USMNT Only on X, he said, “In recent days, we have been disrespected here in the United States. It was said that they could beat us easily, but I think today we showed that we are a good team. We played a great match.” The dedication and resolve of Belgium were evident in the field as they overcame the clouds of controversy to secure a decisive win.
But the storyline remained bittersweet for Courtois. In Friday’s match against Spain, as the score stood 1-1 in the second half, Courtois sustained an injury while making a sliding clearance. He had to be substituted in the 70th minute, with backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens taking his place. The change proved costly. Late in the game, Lammens attempted a save on a long shot from Spain that looked routine but failed to secure it properly. The ball caromed back to Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino, who found the net to tilt the match in Spain’s favor. Courtois could only watch from the touchline as the unforced error by his replacement helped decide the outcome.
The unfortunate sequence marked what appears to be the twilight of Courtois’s illustrious World Cup run. At 34 years old, the Belgian veteran faced not only a painful injury but also the heartbreak of a high-stakes stretch concluding with a costly miscue by his stand-in—merely another chapter in a tournament that has been as dramatic off the field as on it. For Courtois, the ending is difficult to swallow, but his comments after the Belgium win underscored a broader message about respect, teamwork, and national pride in the face of controversy. The Belgium squad, having navigated a period of intense scrutiny and political drama, demonstrated resilience and focus when it mattered most, cementing a memorable if tumultuous moment in their campaign.