Belgium’s emphatic victory over the United States at the FIFA Club World Cup has sparked almost as much discussion for the celebrations afterward as for the result itself.

The United States saw its tournament come to an early end after Belgium produced a commanding 4-1 victory in the Round of 16 in Seattle. From the opening whistle, Belgium controlled much of the match, creating the better chances and gradually pulling away as the hosts struggled to find momentum. By the final whistle, the result had ended the Americans’ hopes of making a deeper run on home soil.

The match had already been surrounded by controversy before kickoff. Much of the attention centered on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match suspension was lifted, allowing him to play against Belgium after being sent off in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decision generated criticism from Belgian supporters and media, with many questioning why the suspension had been overturned.

Belgium answered any controversy in the most convincing way possible—on the field. Their attacking play consistently troubled the American defense, and as the goals continued to come, confidence grew throughout the Belgian squad.

The biggest talking point arrived in stoppage time. After Romelu Lukaku scored Belgium’s fourth goal to complete the rout, several Belgian players celebrated by performing the now well-known “Trump dance”—the arm-pumping, hip-swaying routine that became widely associated with Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

The celebration immediately caught the attention of viewers around the world, quickly spreading across social media and becoming one of the most discussed moments of the match. Some fans viewed it as a playful response to the pre-match controversy surrounding Balogun’s eligibility, while others interpreted it simply as a lighthearted celebration that reflected the team’s confidence after a dominant performance.

Regardless of how it was interpreted, the images quickly went viral, adding another memorable chapter to a match that had already been filled with drama both on and off the pitch.

For Belgium, the focus now shifts to the next round, where confidence will be high after one of their strongest performances of the tournament. For the United States, meanwhile, attention turns toward evaluating a disappointing campaign that ended much earlier than players, coaches, and supporters had hoped.