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The celebrations began for Team USA after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But it’s also bittersweet given that Folarin Balogun, who scored his third World Cup goal in the win, will be unavailable Monday night in Seattle against Belgium after receiving a 64th-minute red card in a hugely controversial decision.
When head referee Raphael Claus of Brazil showed Balogun the red card, the crowd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and the millions watching from home were stunned. Not only did the USMNT have to face Bosnia-Herzegovina for the rest of the game with just one man, but they would miss the next game if they were successful.
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Folarin Balogun of the United States reacts after receiving a red card for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
After the match, former USMNT star Alexi Lalas didn’t hold back his thoughts on how the match went that night.
“An absolute joke on refereeing night,” Lalas said on the FOX Sports show.
Lalas also published an interesting article on X involving Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, which was invoked by many after seeing what happened to Balogun.
In Balogun’s case, it was determined that his stepping on the back of Tarik Muharemovic’s leg, resulting in a rolled ankle, was enough to draw the red card after VAR review, as both players jostled to position themselves to receive the ball coming to them.
USA ADVANCES IN WORLD CUP AFTER CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD AGAINST BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Nothing was done intentionally on Balogun’s part; rather, he was simply trying to land with his right leg after being knocked himself, and his foot unfortunately fell on Muharemovic.
Folarin Balogun of the United States receives a red card from referee Raphael Claus during the World Cup match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates)
But Lalas immediately thought of Messi’s situation during the opening match of the World Cup between Argentina and Algeria. Messi was trying to knock a ball away from an Algerian player when he was seen digging his spike into the back of the player’s calf.
Lalas posted the clip on X with the simple caption “‘Sup”, making it pretty clear what he was referring to. Messi was not reprimanded on the pitch, or afterwards, for what appeared to be a more egregious action than Balogun given that he was looking at his opponent’s leg from behind before the spike hit the calf.
Balogun wasn’t even looking at Muharemovic’s right back leg, even though it was clear it could have been an injury given the rolled ankle that was being stepped on.
Folarin Balogun (20) of the United States and Christian Pulisic (10) of the United States stand nearby after Balogun received a red card during the FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Either way, the USMNT will have to consider who will take Balogun’s place against Belgium, as manager Mauricio Pochettino and his team deliberate on this key position against their next formidable opponent.
But this red card will be debated in the days leading up to the next match, which will be held at Seattle Stadium on July 6 at 8 p.m.
