Belgium players taunt Trump after knocking hosts US out of World Cup

The United States are out of the World Cup after being beaten decisively by Belgium.The 4 -1 loss comes despite the US star striker Flauren Balligan being allowed to start after his one -match ban was suspended when Donald Trump intervened.In the end, Balligan's inclusion had little bearing on the outcome, with Belgium heading to the quarterfinals.It means that all of the tournament hosts are now out of the competition.Our sports correspondent Rob Harris has more.

The United States exit their own World Cup under a cloud of controversy and with a whimper.There was a huge storm in the build -up to kick off against Belgium as Donald Trump applied pressure successfully on FIFA and their president Gianni Fantino to get Star Striker following Baligan back into the team to have his ban for a red card frozen.There was huge home expectation in Seattle, but it was punctured in the first half when Belgium took the lead through Charles de Ketelere.Malik Tilman did equalise before de Ketelere restored the lead.And it was extended in the second half through Hans Van Haken and Romelu Lukaku.particularly with Balogun making such little impact.

Will there be questions within the US Soccer Federation and indeed FIFA about whether it was really worth it to push so hard to get Balogun back in the team?And for the whole integrity of the World Cup to be undermined, to be questioned by so many, particularly leaders in European football.What Belgium winning does do is remove, it seems, the risk of any potential future legal action, which could have developed if they'd gone out.It does now mean all three co -hosts have gone out in the last 16, with the US following Canada and Mexico in failing to make it to the quarterfinals.Cristiano Ronaldo's gone too, with Portugal beaten 1 -0 by Spain at the 41 -year -old's last World Cup.It means, unlike his great rival Lionel Messi, he'll never land world football's biggest prize.

It's over to Messi today as Argentina continue their World Cup defence against Mohamed Salah's Egypt.England are already preparing for their quarterfinal here in Miami against Norway, recovering still from that gruelling 3 -2 win over Mexico.