United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has strongly contested the red card shown to forward Flo Balogun during his side's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup round of 32. Pochettino described the incident as an accident and insisted it was never a sending-off offence.
Pochettino Defends Balogun After Red Card
Speaking to reporters after the match, Pochettino said, as quoted by Reuters, "Never was this a red card. Watching it on TV, never was there intention to step on the player." He added, "That was a normal action in football. That happened by accident, and it is never intentional. That is why for me it was never a red card."
The red card means Balogun will be suspended for the round of 16 clash against Belgium on July 7 at 5:30 am IST, as per FIFA rules. Pochettino revealed that Balogun was feeling sad and disappointed in the dressing room after the match, but also happy because the team qualified for the next round.
Balogun's Stellar Performance Before Dismissal
Balogun was instrumental in the first half, scoring the opening goal in the 45th minute. He registered his third goal of the tournament, becoming only the second US player to score three goals in a single World Cup. The goal came after a pass from Sergino Dest that took a deflection off Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic, which Balogun drove past goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. Moments later, he hit the crossbar.
During the first half, the USA dominated with over 62 percent ball possession, five shots, and 19 touches in the opposition box. Balogun alone accounted for 14 of those touches, showcasing his constant threat.
Match Overview: USA Seals Knockout Win
The match saw Bosnia start with a corner but fail to capitalize. The USA created early chances through Christian Pulisic and Balogun. In the 31st minute, a Balogun goal was ruled out for offside. After the break, Bosnia made three substitutions, with Edin Dzeko appearing to clutch his quad while attempting to press. Bosnia gained some possession but wasted a long-range effort from Katic.
In the 61st minute, Balogun and Muharemovic tangled, with Balogun planting his foot on Muharemovic's ankle. The referee showed a red card, but Muharemovic was able to continue. Despite being a man down, the USA extended their lead in the 82nd minute through Malik Tillman, sealing a 2-0 victory.
Historic Win for USMNT
This victory marked the USA's first win in a FIFA World Cup knockout game since the 2002 edition, where they reached the quarterfinals. Pochettino described the feeling as "difficult to describe," adding, "Because I think they were amazing, and there is no easy game in the World Cup. I think the maturity of the team is amazing in the way that we are growing in the last five to six weeks."
The USA now prepares to face Belgium in the round of 16, with Balogun suspended for the match.
