"Fans Rage as Balogun Gets Sent Off for Challenge While Messi Walks Free"

AMERICAN fans are fuming after star striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina – for a tackle Lionel Messi got away with.

‘s side booked their place in the last-16 with a 2-0 win in Santa Clara regardless, with Monaco striker Balogun scoring the first.

USMNT star Folarin Balogun was sent off for a foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic Credit: Getty Fans are furious after Lionel Messi escaped punishment for a similar tackle earlier at the World Cup Credit: Getty

and will now miss the next round’s clash with on Tuesday due to suspension.

And many are furious with and the officials after Brazilian ref Raphael Claus opted to overturn his on-field decision and send Balogun off.

The former forward was trying to win the ball in a battle with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic when Balogun’s right foot scraped down the back of his opponent’s calf.

Both players went down in pain after the collision as Balogun also rolled his ankle in the incident and Muharemovic’s leg buckled.

checked the foul and officials Juan Soto (Venezuela), Nicolas Gallo (Colombia), and Jerome Brisard (France) urged a review.

Claus went with it, causing shock at the Levi’s Stadium.

Those watching were angry at the call after Messi escaped a similar situation in the group stage against Algeria.

There, .

Brazilian ref Raphel Claus shocked watchers and players with his decision Credit: AP Former Arsenal No9 Balogun will now miss the last-16 tie with Belgium next week – he was heartbroken Credit: Getty

Despite his boot raking down Mandi’s leg, ref Szymon Marciniak let Messi off, causing great debate.

And USMNT supporters think there was some preferential treatment at play.

One wrote online after the Balogun red: “Red card for that means you’ve lost the plot. Completely lost the plot.”

The same person then added, posting the Messi tackle: “Hey @FIFAcom where was VAR on this?!”

Another said: “Two relatively similar incidents… Flo Balogun: red card. Lionel Messi: unpunished.”

A third commented: “Come on. It’s Messi. Of course he’s going to get away with it. We can’t expect star treatment.”

Some on social media have even asked for Claus to be punished.

He explained his decision via the stadium mic, saying: “After review, the No20, United States, committed a serious foul. Final decision is red card.”

It led to boos and jeers from the stands with Balogun immediately shocked and stunned.

He put his shirt over his face whilst walking off and was consoled by .

Ex-Arsenal man Saed Kolasinac, playing for Bosnia, gave him a pat on the head and appeared to share the pain.

did find a second late on through Malik Tilman to ensure they got through.

American Balogun, who was a red hot No9 for at age group level before transferring allegiances in 2023, has bagged three times at the tournament already.

He finished coolly here to put USA in front and had already been disallowed one earlier for offside.

Poch will instead have to turn to PSV’s Ricardo Pepi against , .

They needed a 125th minute penalty to win a fiery contest on Wednesday night.

‘s unpunished challenge meant he could go on .

It left Algeria to COMPLAIN about the standard of officiating.

And : “When you look at the incident, Messi did endanger the player’s safety, Aissa Mandi.

“When you look at the incident, the ball is not within playing distance so it’s not serious foul play.

“It has to be violent conduct because it comes down as a stamp. It’s classed as a stamp.

“I was really surprised that VAR didn’t recommend a review.”