The United States advanced to the Round of 16 at the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but Balogun, who scored their opening goal, was sent off with a red card for a stamping incident during the match. James Ducker, a journalist for the British newspaper The Telegraph, believes this decision reveals a serious lack of consistency in refereeing decisions.

James Ducker wrote:

It seems there is one rule for Lionel Messi and another for everyone else. The good news for the US team is they deserved to advance to the Round of 16 with a very professional performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina. But the bad news for head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the hosts is that their star striker, Folarin Balogun, will be absent in Monday's match against Belgium in Seattle due to a highly controversial red card.

Balogun became the first player to both score and receive a red card in a World Cup knockout match since Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. Zidane did not complain about his dismissal at the time, but Balogun has every reason to feel aggrieved, particularly when considering the refereeing (or lack thereof) regarding Messi earlier in the tournament.

On June 17, in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City, Messi escaped punishment despite his left boot scraping Aïssa Mandi's right Achilles tendon. Messi also scored a hat-trick in that match. At best, it was an awkward movement; at worst, Messi knew exactly what he was doing, and his apparent concern afterward spoke volumes.

So how do we compare this incident to Balogun's red card in the 64th minute? The boot contact that caught Tarik Muharemovic's right heel was identical, but Balogun's action was clearly an entirely unintentional consequence of two players engaged in a physical contest.

Beyond the frustrating inconsistency in referee and VAR decisions, this raises new questions about reviewing such incidents in slow motion. In slow motion, Balogun's action certainly looks far worse than in real-time footage, and therein lies the problem: when you change the speed at which you assess an incident, you are effectively analyzing a completely different event.

The AC Milan forward kept his eyes on the ball during the challenge, and then, as contact occurred, he lost his balance, and their bodies became partially entangled. In the process, the former Arsenal academy player did not know where his right foot was.

The impact on the Bosnia defender was unfortunate and uncomfortable, but it was neither reckless nor dangerous. Therefore, this red card appears far too harsh, and now Pochettino will be without a key player against Belgium. Under the rules, a red card can only be appealed if there is a case of mistaken identity or if the player faces a multi-match ban.

It is also worth noting that Bosnia defender Kolasinac and US striker Christian Pulisic were both former Arsenal teammates.

Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament in the first half before extra time, giving his team a 1-0 lead. Had the red card shifted momentum toward Bosnia and Herzegovina, it would have been a tragedy for the US team. But credit to Pochettino's side—they remained composed and calm, not only comfortably navigating the final 26 minutes and 10 minutes of extra time but also extending their lead.

Malik Tillman made it 2-0 from a free kick late in the match, and although Bosnia goalkeeper Vasilj clearly touched the ball, he should have done better to keep it out.

However, this will not concern Pochettino at all. It was another impressive performance from his team. The main regret is simply that he may have to do without his top scorer against Belgium.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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