BELGIUM’S DECISIVE 4-1 World Cup victory over the United States was followed by celebrations both on and off the pitch, with players, fans and even the country’s newspapers taking aim at Donald Trump.

Belgium booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals after comfortably dispatching the tournament co-hosts, ending the US’ hopes of reaching the last eight for the first time in 24 years.

After Belgian player Romelu Lukaku scored the side’s fourth goal in extra time, he and several of his teammates gathered to celebrate by imitating Donald Trump’s dance.

La selección de #Belgica se burla de Trump y en su casa. pic.twitter.com/sQEwyKqM3L

— ZuritaCarpio (@ZuritaCarpio) July 7, 2026

The aftermath quickly turned political following the controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match suspension was overturned by Fifa after lobbying from Trump.

Belgium’s official national team account wasted little time posting a picture on social media of the players celebrating alongside the caption: “Overturn this.”

Overturn this. 🧏‍♂️ #USABEL pic.twitter.com/KcBAJp3Z7d

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 7, 2026

It followed up with another dig, joking: “It’s called s̶o̶c̶c̶e̶r̶ FOOTBALL.”

It”s called s̶o̶c̶c̶e̶r̶ 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋. 😎 #USABEL #ScoredWithING pic.twitter.com/npWPnchKTa

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 7, 2026

Belgian newspaper Le Soir also got in on the fun, splashing a photo of the victorious squad across its front page with the headline: “Allô, Donald?”

Another paper, Het Nieuwsblad, went with the caption: “And suddenly everyone was supporting Belgium”.

Belgium captain Youri Tielemans admitted after the match that the Balogun controversy had galvanised the squad.

“We held a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said.

“We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That’s what we did today.”

Manager Rudi Garcia, who had criticised Fifa’s decision before the match, struck a more conciliatory tone afterwards, revealing Balogun had sought him out following the final whistle.

Belgium head coach, Rudi Garcia, on his conversation with Folarin Balogun after the match:

"He came to talk to me. I really liked that. It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame -- that's what I told him. I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I… pic.twitter.com/F933UA7USE

— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) July 7, 2026

“He came to talk to me. I really liked that,” Garcia told reporters.

“It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame, that’s what I told him. I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me.”

Belgium now face Spain on Friday for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.