Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia expressed that the team has gained “everyone thinks we are going home” of new fans following Donald Trump’s efforts to persuade FIFA to annul Folarin Balogun’s red card. This wave of support is expected to bolster their confidence as they prepare to face Spain in the quarter-finals. Garcia emphasized his belief in the squad’s potential, despite the prevailing sentiment that they may be eliminated.
Trump claimed to have contacted FIFA to suspend Balogun’s punishment after he received a direct red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite FIFA’s unusual decision to pause the striker’s suspension, Belgium triumphed over the USA with a convincing 4-1 scoreline. After the match, the Belgian Football Federation took to social media with the message “The conditions will only be as difficult as they were in the round of 16,” while players joyfully mimicked Trump’s dance moves. Garcia reassured Balogun that he shouldn’t feel accountable for the situation orchestrated by Trump.
This win secured Belgium’s advancement, allowing them to replace the USA in the upcoming clash against Spain at the Los Angeles Stadium, where a large portion of the 80,000 seats is expected to be filled with American fans. Nonetheless, Garcia stated that rather than being daunted by a potentially unfriendly atmosphere, the team feels more empowered and popular than ever before.
“We had 12 million Belgium fans and now, over the last few days, I think we have millions and millions behind us; they have joined our ranks and I think that will be great. I think that will give us incredible strength. I don’t know what [the atmosphere] will be like in the stadium but we will concentrate on what we have to do. We have enough on our plate with the Spanish squad. “We know we are playing one of the favourites and we know the strength they have as individuals and as a collective, which has been the case for 15 or 20 years now,” Garcia remarked. “We had 12 million Belgium fans, and now, over the last few days, I believe we have millions and millions joining our ranks; this will be tremendous. I think it will provide us incredible strength. I can’t predict what the atmosphere will be in the stadium, but we will focus on our responsibilities. We have our hands full with the Spanish team.
Garcia acknowledged the challenge posed by Spain, recognizing them as one of the tournament favorites with a long-standing reputation for excellence in ball possession. He noted their impressive defensive record, stating, “They have not conceded a goal, but statistics are made to be broken, and we will do our utmost to score. If we fail, we will face elimination. We are the second-highest scoring team in the World Cup. Even with the chatter about us going home, we are capable of succeeding.
Garcia also reflected on the team’s resilience, saying, “They are the best when it comes to possession of the ball and we know that they have not conceded a goal but statistics are there to be broken and we will do what we can to score. If not, we will be sent packing. We are the second highest scoring team at the World Cup. Everyone is talking about us going home but we can do it. “Maybe some are discovering our team now but I know them off by heart. I know their character and what they can do. The quality of the group is not shown when things are going swimmingly; it is shown when we are in hot water. Against Senegal, a team that should never have finished third in a group, but had France and Norway with them, we were able to get through. I have two XIs: one that starts the game and one that finishes it and we have lots of qualities on the bench. I have one of the best strikers of all time there.”
This striker, Romelu Lukaku, was present alongside Garcia, and the coach humorously implied that Lukaku was merely pretending to be a substitute while actually being set to start. They discussed Lukaku’s role after a season at Napoli in which he did not start any matches.
Garcia stated, “We had lots of chats. When he comes on the opponents are quaking in their boots, they are much more worried,” This sentiment has been validated by Lukaku’s performances.
Although the 33-year-old has only started one game during this tournament, he has made a notable impact, scoring three goals and providing an assist. He averages a goal every 50 minutes played, including one against the USA, and has a remarkable total of 93 goals for the national team. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ali Daei from Iran, and Sunil Chhetri from India have more international goals than him. Lukaku’s scoring rate is superior to both Ronaldo and Messi’s on the international stage.
“I had a chat with the coach in April and he said I had to be prepared for a certain role,” Lukaku shared. “I agreed, and now here we are. Everything is proceeding well, and we intend to maintain this momentum. We are fully prepared both physically and mentally. I recognize that my current situation is due to a difficult year. The coach met with me, and we talked for two hours. I understand my role for this tournament. It would be irrational to expect to start every game after having played just 64 minutes for Napoli. It’s about the team. I must approach this with a strategic mindset.
Lukaku concluded, “I said ‘OK’ and here we are. Everything is going well and we are going to continue like this. We are well prepared physically, mentally and tactically. I know that I am in this situation because this has been a very hard year. The coach visited me and we talked for two hours. I know my role for this tournament. It would be crazy, having played just 64 minutes [for Napoli] to start every game. It would be self destructive. It is all about the team. I have to play with my head as well. “If you get this far you’re not going to just play to go home,”
