Belgium consoles Balogun but claims World Cup 'justice' was served

Belgium's Nicolas Raskin says the 4-1 World Cup win over ​the United States feels like a measure of "justice" after Folarin Balogun was allowed to play for the hosts despite his red card in the previous match.

Balogun was sent off in the US's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in ‌the round of 32.

While a dismissal normally carries an automatic one-match ban, FIFA suspended the sanction under article 27 of its disciplinary code.

The decision came after US President Donald Trump asked FIFA ‌president Gianni Infantino to review the case.

Infantino said FIFA's judicial bodies operated "independently and ⁠autonomously".

He said he told Mr Trump the Balogun case ‌was subject to an ongoing legal ​process.

FIFA's disciplinary committee said it ‌had the authority to suspend the one-match ban.

The decision triggered widespread criticism, including from Belgium's football federation, which unsuccessfully challenged Balogun's eligibility hours before kick-off.

Belgium, however, made the controversy irrelevant on the pitch, sweeping aside the US in Seattle to reach ​the ‌quarterfinals.

"I think there was always … justice somewhere in life and the fact that something can happen like that, you can put it ⁠all you want … we don't think ‌that was fair," Raskin told reporters.

"And ‌today, I think it just brings us a little bit of luck. We needed to ‌win the game and the message throughout."

'Not his fault'

Belgium's Instagram account posted a photo of Romelu Lukaku celebrating after scoring his side's fourth goal with ‌the caption: "Overturn ​this."

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, ⁠however, played down the row in his post-match media conference when asked if it had motivated his players.

"It wasn't needed or necessary … what really mattered to us is our game plan," Garcia said.

Garcia said he spoke with Balogun after the final whistle.

"He came to talk to me, I really like that," Garcia said.

"It's ‌not his fault, ‌he's not the one to blame and that's what I told ​him."

US coach Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame his side's loss on the Balogun red card controversy.

But he took personal issue ‌with those who questioned the motives behind the process that cleared Balogun to play.

"I am so frustrated and disappointed with people who are supposed to understand the situation," Pochettino told reporters.

US midfielder Tyler Adams dismissed the suggestion the drama surrounding Balogun's reinstatement was a distraction.

"I don't think that noise or anything ‌affected us ​by any means. If anything, it ⁠probably uplifted us, in a sense," Adams said.

Pressed about whether the situation may have impacted Balogun's performance, Adams said: "Was anyone a major presence on the field today? Do you know what I mean?"

US defender Tim Ream said the Balogun situation had "no impact" on the home side.

"We've done a good job with this group of allowing outside noise to be outside noise," he said.

"It's got nothing to do ‌with us as players and ‌getting ready for games. It's one of those things, that's the world we live in.

"We were ​fully focused on us as a group and as a team, and fully focused on the game and not really worrying about what was being said or debated in the outside world."

Belgium faces Spain in Los Angeles on Saturday morning AEST for a place in the semifinals.

Reuters