Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said there was “justice” in his side’s 4-1 World Cup last-16 victory over the United States after the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s eligibility before the match.
FIFA allowed Balogun to play after suspending his automatic one-match ban under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code. Belgium challenged the decision before kick-off, but FIFA dismissed the appeal.
Belgium then settled the contest on the pitch, beating the hosts 4-1 to book a quarter-final against Spain.
“Like I said, I think there was always a justice somewhere in life and the fact that something can happen like that, you can put it all you want, but we don’t think that was fair.”
“And today, I think it just brings us a little bit of luck. We needed to win the game and the message throughout.”
Belgium’s official Instagram account also referenced the controversy after the final whistle. The team posted a picture of Romelu Lukaku celebrating the fourth goal with the caption, “Overturn this.”
Coach Rudi Garcia, however, refused to link the result to the dispute over Balogun’s availability.
“No, it wasn’t needed or necessary … what really mattered to us is our game plan.”
Garcia also revealed that Balogun approached him after the match.
“He came to talk to me, I really like that. It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame and that’s what I told him.”
Belgium will meet Spain in Los Angeles on Saturday with a place in the World Cup semi-finals at stake.
