Fury erupts as USA star is controversially sent off and MISSES next World Cup game as
The USA’s historic victory in the World Cup on Wednesday night was marred by a controversial decision to send off star striker Folarin Balogun, which immediately sparked widespread fury on social media.
During their 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Round of 32 clash, the 24-year-old was shown a red card after scraping his cleats down the leg of a rival.
It initially seemed like a fairly innocuous tackle from Balogun – who had scored the USA’s opening goal just before halftime – after he got into a tangle of legs with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.
However, Brazilian referee Raphael Claus went over to his replay monitor to watch the incident back and decided that, after a slow motion replay, Balogun was guilty of serious foul play and showed him a straight red card shortly after the hour mark.
Balogun looked stunned at the decision and had to be consoled by his teammates, before eventually leaving the field with over 30 minutes to go in the must-win game.
It means that the USA’s top goalscorer at this year’s World Cup will miss the Round of 16 game against European giants Belgium on July 6, in a massive blow for the hosts.
The USA were leading by one-goal at the time of his sending off. Thankfully, Malik Tilmann later scored a free-kick to double the lead and secure a hard-fought 2-0 win – but Balogun’s red undoubtedly tarnishes the victory.
Folarin Balogun was sent off for raking his boot down Tarik Muharemovic’s leg
The USA star – who has scored three goals at this World Cup – was distraught by the decision
Patrick and Brittany Mahomes led the public outcry on social media after the sending off
Thousands of fans poured onto social media to vent their fury at the referee’s decision and, among them, a number of prominent sports stars spoke out.
Brittany Mahomes, who was a soccer player at college, slammed the red card decision, posting on Instagram: ‘That was some bulls***… All I have to say #USA.’
Her husband, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick, also took to social media to question the decision. ‘Man what……’, he wrote on his X account.
Jason Kelce, preparing for his brother Travis to get married on Friday to Taylor Swift, took time out from wedding planning to vent at the decision.
‘Man, somebody help me. That foul looked incidental from Balogun, shouldn’t a Red Card be given if there is either intention to foul, or an action that is aggressive and unsafe in nature?’ Kelce wrote.
‘Didn’t feel like Balogun was out of control or anything, just looked like it kind of happened.’
Another former NFL star, JJ Watt, was fuming at the decision.
‘Announcers should definitely be informing the audience that Balogun will miss next match, assuming we win tonight. Massive, massive implications there. Huge loss,’ he said, also posting about the decision: ‘You’ve gotta be kidding me….’
Meanwhile, ESPN host Pat McAfee shared a video on social media, as he declared his disbelief at the referee’s decision to send Balogun off.
‘You can’t get a red card for that. Balogun gets red carded?! He’s our goalscorer!’
Brittany Mahomes shared this X-rated message on social media in response to the red card
A number of prominent names in the sports world piled onto social media to react to the call
The striker will now miss the USA’s Round of 16 game against Belgium on July 6
NFL legend JJ Watt was also quick to jump online and give his reaction. ‘What’s the phone number for the FIFA red card appeal hotline?’, he wrote on social media.
Meanwhile, on FOX’s post-game coverage, legendary soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic made sure not to understate how big a loss this could be for the team.
‘I believe it’s a big loss to be honest, he has been one of the best, if not the best player of the US team so far,’ the former Swedish international said on the broadcast.
USA head coach Pochettino, after the win, gave his brutally honest verdict on the matter. ‘For me, it’s never a red card’.
Thankfully, the decision didn’t have major ramifications in the game itself. Though the USA were down to 10-men for 30 minutes, they held on to secure a historic win.
Not only did they hold on but, shortly after they doubled their advantage through Malik Tillman, who rifled a stunning free-kick into the back of the Bosnian net.
The victory – which was just the second World Cup knockout victory in the USA’s history – sparked jubilant scenes inside the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
As has become routine at this World Cup, John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ immediately began blaring out, as the USA players and staff gathered in front of the thousands of fans packed inside the stadium and sang together in unison.
However, while the USA squad soaked up the atmosphere at the final whistle, head coach Pochettino will no doubt have had Balogun’s red card on his mind.
Earlier in the game, Balogun had scored his third goal at this World Cup to give USA the lead
However, the USA will now have to march on without their top goalscorer in the competition
It means that the in-form striker will have to sit out of their tie against Belgium on July 6. Back-up striker Ricardo Pepi will likely take his place for the Round of 16 clash.
It was a brutal end to Balogun’s night – and potentially his World Cup – having been the hero for the national side earlier in the night, with his opening goal.
After scoring in the first-half, Balogun produced LeBron James’ ‘Silencer’ celebration – and the NBA legend made sure to make note of it online.
Taking to X, the 41-year-old wrote: ‘LFG!!!!!! THE [Silencer] HAS [landed] at the World Cup! Helluva goal there Young [king]!’.