The USA striker became the first player since Zinedine Zidane in 2006 to score and be sent off in a FIFA World Cup knockout match.
United States forward Folarin Balogun etched his name into FIFA World Cup history for all the wrong reasons during his side's Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The 24-year-old looked to have put the co-hosts on course for the last 16 after opening the scoring late in the first half, but his night took a dramatic turn after he was shown a straight red card in the second half.
In doing so, Balogun became the first player since Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final to score and be sent off in a World Cup knockout match.
Why was Folarin Balogun sent off?
Balogun gave the USA the lead in the 45th minute after capitalising on a fortunate
ricochet inside the penalty area, calmly finishing past the goalkeeper.
However, in the 64th minute, the striker was involved in a dangerous challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović.
The pair contested a loose ball in midfield before Balogun's studs landed on Muharemović's right ankle. Referee Raphael Claus initially allowed play to continue before being advised by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to review the incident.
After watching the replay on the pitchside monitor, Claus upgraded the decision to a straight red card for serious foul play, reducing the United States to 10 men.
Balogun joins Zidane, Ronaldinho and Garrincha
Balogun is now just the fourth player in FIFA World Cup history to both score and receive a red card in a knockout match.
The list includes some of football's biggest names:
| Player | Nation | Tournament | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrincha | Brazil | 1962 FIFA World Cup | Semi-final vs Chile |
| Ronaldinho | Brazil | 2002 FIFA World Cup | Quarter-final vs England |
| Zinedine Zidane | France | 2006 FIFA World Cup | Final vs Italy |
| Folarin Balogun | USA | 2026 FIFA World Cup | Round of 32 vs Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Zidane's dismissal remains the most famous, with the France captain sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final after also converting a penalty earlier in the match.
Ronaldinho suffered a similar fate four years earlier after scoring a memorable free-kick before being dismissed in Brazil's quarter-final victory over England, while Brazilian legend Garrincha was sent off after helping his side defeat hosts Chile in the 1962 semi-finals.
Balogun has now joined that rare and unfortunate club, becoming the first player in two decades to combine a goal with a red card in a World Cup knockout fixture.
