Eddie Vedder's eyes lit up like a stadium scoreboard as Pearl Jam's anthemic classic 'Alive' boomed through Seattle Stadium during the USA vs Belgium World Cup match. The hometown hero and Pearl Jam frontman was in attendance, and the 1991 track that catapulted him to stardom had him grinning from ear to ear. As cameras panned across the stands, Vedder's infectious enthusiasm was clear – he was dancing, singing along, and even pouring a can of Stella Artois down his shirt to raucous laughter and cheers from those around him.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Belgium were putting on a show of their own. Charles De Ketelaere netted two goals, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added to the tally with strikes that sealed a 4-1 victory over the USA. The co-hosts' dreams of World Cup glory were left in tatters as they crashed out of the tournament.
But controversy had also been brewing, with USA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban hanging in the balance. In a bizarre twist, Donald Trump's intervention – reportedly a phone call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino – saw the ban suspended at the eleventh hour, sparking outrage from fans and pundits alike.
Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals on Friday 10th July at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The winner will progress to the semis against either France or Morocco in a bid for World Cup glory.
In a welcome distraction, Vedder has been spreading joy through his music – including the inspiring single 'Better Believe', created with Chicago-based non-profit Guitars Over Guns. This initiative pairs young students with professional musicians and artists to create positive change, with all royalties going towards this worthy cause.