Balogun scores then sees red as 10-man USA stun Bosnia to reach World Cup last 16

Folarin Balogun scored and was then sent off as the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in Seattle on Wednesday, advancing to the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time since 2002.

Balogun broke the deadlock with a composed finish late in the first half — his third goal of the tournament — before Malik Tillman sealed the win with a spectacular free kick. The victory, however, was overshadowed by a flashpoint in the 64th minute when Balogun was shown a straight red card for violent conduct following a challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.

VAR directed referee Raphael Claus to review the incident at the pitchside monitor, and the Brazilian official subsequently dismissed Balogun, describing the challenge as a “serious foul”. The striker looked visibly shocked as the decision became clear, trudging off to leave the US to see out the match with 10 men.

On the touchline, head coach Mauricio Pochettino reacted with open-armed disbelief, throwing his hands skyward before approaching the fourth official with a wry smile, apparently seeking an explanation. After the final whistle, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager was unequivocal in his criticism of the ruling.

“For me, it’s never a red card,” Pochettino said. “I looked at it on TV, there never was intention, and to step on the player was a normal action in football that happened by accident. It was never intentional. For me, this was never intentional.”

Balogun becomes only the fifth American to receive a red card at a World Cup, following Eric Wynalda against Czechoslovakia in 1990, Fernando Clavijo against Brazil in 1994, and Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope against Italy in 2006. He also becomes the first player to both score and be sent off in a World Cup knockout fixture since Zinedine Zidane was dismissed in the 2006 World Cup final.

The dismissal now creates a significant problem for Pochettino ahead of Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium in Seattle. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has the authority to extend Balogun’s ban beyond that match, though it cannot reduce or overturn any suspension already in place, leaving the USA’s attacking options considerably stretched at a critical stage of the tournament.