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The United States may very well advance to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But they will be without their top scorer if they do.
Folarin Balogun, whose goal in the 45th minute gave the United States a 1-0 lead over Bosnia and Herzegovnia in the Round of 32, was sent off in the second half following an awkward challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic. The two were battling for position and a loose ball, when Balogun stepped on the back of Muharemovic’s foot as the two crashed to the turf.
You can see that moment here:
No foul was given on the pitch, nor was a card issued. But as the two players tried to recover from the collision, the Bosnia and Herzegovina sideline pleaded for a video review. Eventually, referee Raphael Claus went to the video monitor.
And then he made the decision, a red card:
Claus described it as a “serious foul,” and noted that the final decision was a red card.
Balogun was consoled not only by teammate Christian Pulisic, but also by Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Sead Kolašinac:
As a result, the United States is not only down to ten men for the rest of this match, but even if they hold on to this 1-0 lead over Bosnia and Herzegovina and advance to the Round of 16, they will be without their top scorer for the next match. Under red card rules, Balogun will be forced to sit out the next match.
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