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The celebrations have begun for Team USA after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But it’s also bittersweet considering that Folarin Balogun, who scored his third World Cup goal in the victory, will not be available Monday night in Seattle against Belgium after receiving a red card in the 64th minute 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 at home were stunned. Not only did the USMNT have to face Bosnia and Herzegovina for the rest of the match a man down, but they would miss the next match if they managed to get through.
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Folarin Balogun of the United States reacts to 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 did not hold back his thoughts on how the game was headed that night.
“An absolute joke on a night of refereeing,” Lalas said during the FOX Sports broadcast.
Lalas also had an interesting post on X involving Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi, who was invoked by many after seeing what happened to Balogun.
In Balogun’s case, it was determined that stepping on the back of Tarik Muharemovic’s leg, resulting in a sprained ankle, was enough to show the red card after the VAR review despite both players jostling for position to receive the ball coming towards them.
USA ADVANCES IN THE WORLD CUP AFTER CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD VS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Nothing was done intentionally on Balogun’s part; rather, he was simply trying to land on his right leg after being hit himself, and unfortunately his foot landed on Muharemovic.
Folarin Balogun of the USA receives a red card from referee Raphael Claus during the World Cup match between the USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Eric Verhoeven/Socrates)
But Lalas immediately thought of Messi’s situation that occurred in Argentina’s World Cup opening match against Algeria. Messi was trying to take a ball from an Algerian player when he was seen stabbing his shoe 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 field, nor afterwards, for what appeared to be a more egregious action than Balogun’s, considering he was watching his opponent’s leg from behind before the cue struck his calf.
Balogun wasn’t even looking at Muharemovic’s right back leg, although it was clear it could have been an injury given the sprained ankle he was stepping on.
Folarin Balogun (20) of the United States and Christian Pulisic (10) of the United States wait after Balogun received a red card during the World Cup round of 16 soccer 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 think about who will take Balogun’s place against Belgium, as coach Mauricio Pochettino and his staff deliberate that 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 played at Seattle Stadium on July 6 at 8 p.m.
