Belgium decisively handed the USA their hats and showed them the door last night.

I'm well satisfied but not feeling any level of pleasure at it all. The Americans could have brought a lesson in sportsmanship and fair-play to the stage, but those qualities that used to be such a matter of national pride apparently mean nothing anymore in the national psyche.

First was their treatment of the Iranian national team; no matter the geopolitical situation between the two, the US was a poor host. That one is a subject that could take up a lot of space on its own.

Then there was this episode.

They are out and I'm glad to be shot of them. I derive no pleasure though, as there a new richly deserved stains on the American character because of it.

Now that they and their poison are gone, the rest of the World Cup should be epic. On with the game!