This World Cup is now all about Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Spain’s clean sheets, Harry Kane’s Grover voice and the rest. No more arguments about eligibility. The Article 27-era lasted 30 or so hours, and is now hopefully shut down for good.
On a day that started with Trump confirming that he indeed called Infantino to inquire about the review process for Balogun’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Infantino screaming into the wind that FIFA’s evocation of Article 27, which gives itself the authority to suspend disciplinary matters and thus reinstate Balogun for the Belgium game, was a completely, totally independent decision, regardless of political pressure, ended with the United States coming out of the gates inexplicably laggard, and making far too many mistakes against another European soccer stalwart all too happy to show off its supremacy, on America’s soil.
Belgium seized momentum early. In the ninth minute, American defender Alex Freeman headed a ball up in the box: a trio of U.S. players, instead of clearing it out, let the it drop, permitting Belgium’s Nicolas Raskin to dribble near the goal and cross it to Charles De Ketelaere, who snuck behind American captain Tim Ream to give Belgium an early 1-0 lead. For the first time in a meaningful game, the U.S. trailed at this World Cup.
The Americans had the sort of momentum that seemed to carry them in prior wins at this World Cup. Especially at Seattle Stadium, a famously loud facility. But the U.S. squandered a good thing: some two minutes later, De Ketelaere rose above Ream on a cross to score his second goal.
The U.S., to its credit, fought. Sebastian Berhalter sent an attempt just wide right before the 80th minute: despite the near-miss, Berhalter pumped his arms, trying to rile up the crowd, and his teammates. Balogun, man of the last 30 hours, had his chance a few minutes later: but he fired a shot right at Courtois, who stuffed him. Balogun was quiet on the evening: in a few instances, he opted to pass balls that looked ripe for shooting.
The Americans had been game-planning for Belgium without Balogun: it’s fair to wonder if Balogun’s sudden reinstatement on Sunday threw off the team’s mojo coming into the game. Christian Pulisic, whose commercial appearances-to-goals-scored ratio at this World Cup clocked in at about 100-to-0, lost possession 11 times in just the first 45 minutes, according to ESPN FC, the most of any player on the field. Why was he in such poor form on such a big stage? After another Round of 16 elimination, the Americans have time to ask these kinds of questions, and search for answers.
Article 27 won’t ease that pain.
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