USA embarrassed as America turns on soccer team after crushing defeat to Belgium
Team USA has been bundled out of its home World Cup in devastating fashion, hammered 4-1 by Belgium.
American striker Folarin Balogun started the match after a highly controversial intervention by Donald Trump saw his ban deferred.
However, the striker and his teammates could do little to stop the European heavyweights from teaching them a lesson they won’t forget.
Charles De Ketelaere scored early to give Belgium the lead before the US equalised after a free kick deflected off the wall into the back of the net.
De Ketelaere would then head home less than two minutes later to reclaim Belgium’s lead.
A howler from American goalkeeper Matt Freese then ended all hopes of a comeback in the second half before Romelu Lukaku put the icing on the cake with a quality late goal to give them a massive win and book a place in the quarterfinals.
Earlier on Monday (AEST), Spain knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal with a last-gasp Mikel Merino stoppage-time winner.
Ronaldo left the pitch in tears as the reality of his never winning a World Cup sank in.
Matt Freese’s error not only cost his side a goal against Belgium, but it has made Team USA a laughing stock across the globe.
Many are revelling in America’s misery after the goalkeeper gifted Belgium a third goal, which has USA on the brink of crashing out of their home World Cup.
“That’s one of the all-time worst World Cup moments in USMNT history for Matt Freese. Disastrous,” wrote one fan.
“What is Freese doing????? That’s an absolute calamity at the back for the USA,” added another.
“Goalkeeper Matt Freese had a shocker but Tim Ream should also have dealt with the shot that came after. You could feel the country could be going out with a whimper here,” said a third.
“Let’s all laugh at Team USA,” another added.
“You really gotta feel for the USA, don’t you…” reporter Vince Rugari said tongue in cheek.
“Pulisic hurting himself booting an opposition foot instead of the ball was just the cherry on top of a disgusting performance. The alleged best player America has. He stinks,” Jordan Patu added.
“One game too far for the USA, perhaps, by which I mean the entire sport of association football,” joked journalist Adam Hurrey.
United States of America goalkeeper Matt Freese reacts to howler. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
United States of America goalkeeper Matt Freese reacts to howler. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
While American fans lost it at their team.
“US Soccer is not ready for primetime. I don’t wanna be mean but this team is embarrassing. We’re never gonna actually be good at this sport as long as out D tier athletes play it. What a clown show,” Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy said.
“USA playing like a bunch of bums tonight. What are we doing?” Fox News’ Bill Melugin wrote.
“Unfortunately the whole world will get to laugh because the USA choked spectacularly tonight,” Seattle Sports Fan GZ added.
