Mauricio Pochettino explodes in anger after USA World Cup collapse against Belgium

Mauricio Pochettino explodes in anger after USA World Cup collapse against Belgium A difficult few days for Mauricio Pochettino appeared to be too much for the USA manager who could not control his emotions pitch-side United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino was left reeling when the FIFA World Cup co-hosts fell 1-0 behind to Belgium inside 10 minutes - his anger only got worse after shipping a second goal moments after pulling one back. Following co-hosts Canada and Mexico's elimination at the Round of 16 stage, the USMNT were presented with the chance to become the sole North American side in the quarter-finals, but first had to overcome Belgium. They received received a vital boost before kick-off after striker Folarin Balogun was deemed eligible by FIFA despite being handed a one-match ban. The decision sparked uproar ahead of the knockout clash, with Balogun and the USMNT coming under fierce criticism over a murky situation involving FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who held talks with President Donald Trump. However, the off-pitch controversy was forgotten once the match got underway, and Pochettino was incandescent from the off. Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere netted the opener inside nine minutes, capitalising on calamitous defending from the USMNT. Alex Freeman nodded the ball back into harm's way, with Sergino Dest failing to provide cover. The camera then panned to Pochettino, who appeared stunned by what he'd just witnessed from his players. Still, the USMNT continued to struggle defensively as Belgium controlled the opening 23 minutes, reports the Mirror US. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page The hydration break then proved a lifeline for the USMNT, and against the flow of proceedings, Malik Tillman levelled matters from a free kick. It marked the second consecutive match Tillman had netted from a set piece following his effort against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. Yet the USMNT found themselves trailing once more just moments afterwards, as De Ketelaere capitalised on further questionable defending to head home at the far post. De Ketelaere completed his double, and Pochettino vented his frustration on water bottles. Pochettino was spotted smashing a box of Powerade bottles as he lost his composure on the touchline. Once more, Dest was culpable in the build-up to the goal, and Pochettino withdrew him from proceedings at the interval. Sadly for the USMNT, the defensive lapses continued: in the second period, goalkeeper Matt Freese surrendered possession while outside his own box, allowing Hans Vanaken to strike into an unguarded net. It was a disastrous moment for the hosts, whose build-up to the game was disrupted by the saga around Balogun. The phone call between Trump and Infantino dominated the build-up and may have been a distraction for his side. However, before the match, he insisted their focus had not been shifted by the saga. He said: "Of course, to have all the players available is good news. Of course, to have the facility to have Balo again with us and being available is important for the team. "I think he has scored three goals, and I think he’s doing a fantastic job. But that’s why he’s brilliant for us and is important for the team. I hope that today he can show his quality." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that's 'designed for football' from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.