Will Cain: President Trump drew a Trump card on a red card
Will Cain excitedly discusses FIFA’s decision to overturn American soccer star Folarin Balogun’s red card, allowing him to play. This decision, confirmed after the rejection of Belgium’s appeal, arouses the indignation of the Royal Belgian Football Association. Cain frames the match as the United States versus “the world”, highlighting the controversy.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s time representing Portugal at the FIFA World Cup may have come to an end on Monday afternoon in Dallas, as Spain advanced to the quarter-finals, 1-0, at his expense.
Mikel Merino came off the Spanish bench and electrified the World Cup crowd in second-half stoppage time when he finally broke the 0-0 scoreline for the decisive goal past Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Ronaldo, who never knocked on Spain’s door in this match – no team has yet conceded a goal in this tournament – looked out at the crowd after a few desperate attempts were not enough for Portugal at the final whistle.
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Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, United States. (Torbjörn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi)
Ronaldo played in his fifth World Cup, and although there was heated debate over whether he should start in this team, he leaves perhaps the final tournament of his illustrious career with three more goals at this stage under his belt.
While Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates ponder what might have been, Spain will wait for the winner of the American and Belgian team, which plays its round of 16 match in Seattle on Monday night.
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The big story from the Pacific Northwest is that of Folarin Balogun, the USMNT’s star striker who will be available to play after his red card was upgraded to a suspension – a similar FIFA disciplinary action handed out to Ronaldo so he could participate in this World Cup.
It was the talk of the tournament, as President Donald Trump said he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the controversial red card given in the round of 16 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ultimately, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code, to the chagrin of several football federations, including the Belgian group they face this evening.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks on during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, United States. (Torbjörn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi)
The United States still took care of Bosnia and Herzegovina despite Balogun’s red card during the match, which caused them to lose a man on the field compared to their opponent. Malik Tillman’s free kick goal was the nail in the coffin in the second half, as the USMNT went on to a 2-0 victory and looked forward to their meeting with Belgium.
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Belgium almost didn’t make it out of the round of 16, but it almost doesn’t count in the World Cup. Senegal led 2-0 in the 80th minute of the match when Belgium finally came back to life thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans in the 85th and 89th minutes respectively.
This forced overtime and Senegal ultimately conceded a penalty with just seconds remaining on the clock before a penalty shootout determined who would advance in the tournament. Tielemans did not let the opportunity pass and slammed the door on Senegalese hopes in a crushing manner.
Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates with teammates Pedro Porro and Fabian Ruiz after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Hannah Peters – FIFA)
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While Team USA and Belgium prepare for their match, Spain will put their feet up and maybe pull out a notepad, while looking at who they’ll face in the quarterfinals later this week.
