New York, United States – Web Desk: The United States secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia to book a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, but the match has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding a straight red card shown to American forward Folarin Balogun.
The incident occurred in the 64th minute, when Balogun accidentally caught Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemović on the ankle while attempting to win possession. Following a lengthy VAR review, the referee issued a straight red card, reducing the United States to 10 men.
Reacting to the decision, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted there was no malicious intent behind the challenge, describing it as an accidental collision during a genuine attempt to play the ball.
The controversy intensified after former US international Alexi Lalas shared footage on social media comparing Balogun’s challenge with an earlier tackle involving Lionel Messi, claiming both incidents were similar but received different disciplinary outcomes.
Lalas questioned why Balogun was sent off while Messi escaped without any card, prompting widespread debate among football fans over consistency in officiating.
The comparison quickly went viral, with thousands of users sharing clips and screenshots while accusing officials of applying inconsistent standards. Some fans also alleged that Messi has received preferential treatment in previous matches.
The incident has once again placed VAR decisions under scrutiny, with many supporters questioning the consistency and transparency of officiating during the FIFA World Cup.
