The USMNT defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to advance in the knockout stage, but a blatant officiating error threatens to overshadow the victory. A review of Folarin Balogun’s 64th-minute ejection reveals VAR officials misapplied video protocols, leading Brazilian referee Raphael Claus to issue an unwarranted straight red card.
Balogun gave the Americans an early lead by scoring the opening goal in the first half. Then came the 64th minute. He stepped on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic. Balogun became the first player to both score and receive a red card in a World Cup knockout match since Zinedine Zidane in 2006. The forward looked visibly shocked when Claus produced the red.
The controversy stems directly from how the video room presented the footage. Officials showed Claus slow-motion and still replays to judge the tackle. That directly violates the official IFAB laws, which explicitly dictate slow-motion should only establish the point of contact, while real-time speed must evaluate the actual intensity and intent of a challenge.
Broadcast analysts tore into the decision immediately. Former referee Mark Clattenburg criticized the ruling on the broadcast, arguing the tackle lacked the force and intensity required for a dismissal, characterizing it as an accident. Former England international Sue Smith echoed that assessment on the BBC. She noted the challenge looked significantly worse in slow motion, while fans immediately highlighted the public comparison to Lionel Messi, who escaped punishment for a nearly identical foul against Algeria earlier in the tournament.