Scandal! US fans recall Messi foul and demand answers
Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
Folarin Balogun’s red card in the USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina clash has sparked an uproar across social media.
Details: The American striker was sent off after a reckless foul and a VAR review, prompting fans to draw parallels with Lionel Messi’s controversial challenge during Argentina’s match against Algeria.
Many US fans believe the referee’s decision was overly harsh. Social media is abuzz with claims that if Balogun’s tackle warranted a red, then Messi should have seen the same fate for a similar incident at the start of the World Cup.
Shared footage highlights both incidents: Balogun’s foul on the Bosnian player and Messi’s challenge in Argentina’s clash with Algeria. This comparison has fueled heated debates over refereeing consistency—why did one similar challenge result in a red card while the other went unpunished?
Reminder: As previously reported, Balogun was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for a dangerous challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
