• •Thibaut Courtois stated Belgium felt disrespected by pre-match narratives surrounding the USMNT
• •Belgium secured a 4-1 win over the United States in the Round of 16
• •The USMNT entered the match following high expectations from a prior 1-0 win against Paraguay
• •It remains unclear which specific media outlets or narratives Courtois targeted with his comments

Thibaut Courtois openly criticized the perceived lack of respect shown toward the Belgian squad by American media and fans following their 4-1 Round of 16 win over the USMNT. The sentiment followed a period of intense hype for the U.S. team, which had gained significant momentum after a strong opening victory against Paraguay. While Courtois' frustration highlights the tension between international expectations and domestic optimism, he did not specify which reports he considered disrespectful. Whether this psychological edge contributed directly to Belgium's tactical dominance remains a point of debate for analysts dissecting the tournament's knockout stages.