Double standard? Messi v USA in red card farce as star is banned

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World Cup daily news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finally gets under way (All times AEST).

"NEVER A RED CARD"

Plenty has been said about the red card that never was for Lionel Messi earlier in the World Cup, but the Argentine's clumsy studs up tackle has been flagged as the source of some referee hypocrisy after the USA's Folarin Balogun was dismissed.

Balogun, who scored the opening goal for the co-hosts, was shown red after a clumsy challenge on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic in the 64th minute.

Messi escaped any sanction for a similar act in Argentina's match against Algeria.

USA coach Mauricio Pochettino was asked for his take after the 2-0 win which sets the USA up for a final 16 clash with Belgium.

"For me, both weren't red cards," Pochettino said.

"It's not intentional; I can talk only for Balo. But for me, it's never a red card; for me, it's about intention, and the intention wasn't to damage the opponent.

"Your feet land, and the intention was never to damage the opponent... For me, it's never a red card."

Balogun could yet have his ban increased given FIFA issued a three match suspension to South Africa's Themba Zwane for a far more innocuous challenge.

Ex-England women’s striker Sue Smith said of Balogun’s incident: “When it (the replay) stops like that, you think one hundred per cent red card, but I think when you watch it in real time it's really harsh," she told the BBC.

“He's clearly just looking to protect the ball, get his body around and he's just planting his foot.

“It's just unfortunate where he plants it.”

FULL TIME

The USA are through to the Round of 16!

A comfortable win over Bosnia, the co-hosts maintained control even after being reduced to 10 men.

With this result, the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks the first in World Cup history in which multiple co-hosts have all advanced to the Round of 16!

Bosnia head home from a World Cup campaign headlined by their qualification campaign, claiming victory over Italy to rule out the former champs and book their place in this year's tournament.

It ends USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina!

GOAL!

10 men? Doesn't matter!

The USA are two goals up!

Malik Tillman fires home a perfect free kick from the edge of the box, curling out of reach of the Bosnian keeper to make it 2-0!

10 minutes to go, the US look primed for a spot in the Round of 16!

OFFSIDE!

The US thought they had it won, as Christian Pulisic fires home from point blank range... but once again, it's ruled off for offside!

Despite being a man down, the co-hosts maintain their one-goal lead.

RED CARD!

THE GOALSCORER IS OFF!

Folarin Balogun is off after a nasty, nasty challenge on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic, and the co-hosts are down to 10 men!

The US' main man, who scored to send his nation ahead in the 45th minute, stomped on Muharemovic's ankle, taking none of the ball and clattering clumsily into the back of the defender.

VAR checked and the red card was shown, the US are up one goal and down one man with 25 minutes to play!

HALF TIME

A fiesty battle here as the US hold a one-goal advantage over Bosnia in Santa Clara.

USA SCORE

Third time's a charm for Balogun and he's on side. Pulled out the LeBron celly again. No mistakes this time and nothing Nikola Vasilj can do about it.

USA DENIED!

Oh you love to see it, America have had a goal disallowed for off side! That's twice in the space of about 10 minutes Folarin Balogun has been denied.

A penalty call was ruled a no before he found the back of the net but it's been disallowed!

He even cracked out the LeBron James celebration. Too early champ.

Can't bring you vision but he did this...before the ref ruined his day.

PENALTY DRAMA AT THE DEATH

In the 122th minute of extra-time Belgium have been granted a penalty by referee Said Martinez after a VAR review.

Youri Tielemans steps up to the spot and sends Mory Diaw the wrong way! It's the latest goal to be scored in World Cup history.

Belgium wins 3-2!

It's heartbreak for Senegal.

Belgium, from nowhere, have somehow and somewhat controversially got themselves into the last 16. They were average earlier in this game but have rallied to advance in dramatic fashion.

The Senegalese will rage about that penalty for years to come and wonder what might have been. They are in tears on the pitch.

PENALTY OR DIVE? ENGLAND ICON TURNS ON KANE

Wayne Rooney has turned the tables on his countryman accusing Harry Kane of diving during England’s 2-1 win of DR Congo.

England were just 16 minutes from a flight home as they trailed by a seventh minute goal in Atlanta.

At one stage, Kane was taken out by Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, but referee Adham Makhadmeh gestured for the captain to get up and that he had dived.

VAR reviewed the decision but the decision of no penalty stood as England’s protest s continued into the half-time break.

“I’m all for the forwards, but I think Harry Kane trips himself a bit and jumps into the goalkeeper a little bit," Rooney told the BBC.

“I think it looks like he has dived into him, so it probably isn’t a penalty.

“He stumps his toe into the ground here, with his right foot and then he jumps into the goalkeeper.

“The goalkeeper, he’s rushed out.

“He’s left himself in a position where the referee could give the penalty.

“I just think it looks like he’s dived into him so I think it’s probably not a penalty.” Former England stopper Joe Hart disagreed claiming it was a clear spot kick.

“As a goalkeeper, as soon as I miss that ball and feel Kane’s contact, I’m getting ready,” he said.

“If it’s on my water bottle, I am working out where Kane’s next penalty is going to be.

“Mpasi will be delighted to when he looks up and sees the referee not giving it.”

Kane went on to score two goals to secure England a last 16 clash with Mexico.

CARNAGE IN SEATTLE!

Belgium have stormed back with two goals in three minutes to level it at 2-2 against Senegal.

Romelu Lukaku made it 2-1 in the 86th minute before captain Youri Tielemans equalised in the final minute of regular time.

Just over 160 seconds between the two goals. Wowee!!

Whatever was said between Leandro Trossard and Tielemans at the hydration break seems to have worked.

They combined for the equaliser.

ANOTHER TWO BITE THE DUST

Another day another couple of coaches stand down - willingly or pushed we don't know but Czechia have confirmed the exit of boss Miroslav Koubek by mutual agreement. They endured a horrific World Cup campaign.

Joining him is Ecuador boss Sebastian Beccacece who stood down after his side's loss to Mexico.

"After the failure at the World Championship, for which I bear joint responsibility as head coach, after considering all the circumstances, I have come to the conclusion that I will offer my position to the president of the FACR, David Trund," Koubek said.

"After mutual debate and consultation, the president accepted my proposal. The consequence is the termination of my work with the national team. A media campaign based on a series of half-truths and fabrications against me also contributed to my decision.

"In this atmosphere, my work for the Czech national team would no longer make sense. I would like to thank the chairman David Trund and the FACR Executive Committee for the trust they have placed in me.

"I would also like to thank Pavel Nedved for his cooperation, all members of the implementation team and employees of the Football Association of the Czech Republic for their enormous commitment and, above all, the players. It was a great honour for me to lead the Czech national team.

"I regret that after gaining knowledge from the World Cup, I will not be able to fulfil the specific and clear visions I had for my further work with the national team. A big thank you also goes to the fans. Their support throughout the entire journey to qualification and at the World Cup itself was extraordinary and I will never forget it.

"I wish the Czech national team and my successor further success in their progress. I will keep my fingers crossed for them, like every Czech football fan."

Beccacece believes he failed to meet expectations.

“Our contract ended with the World Cup. I don’t think we were able to achieve the feat ⁠we promised: to make this the best World Cup ever. Today it’s my turn to say goodbye,” Beccacece said, per Reuters.

"I have gratitude — gratitude for the people, gratitude for the players who gave their hearts," he added. "This has been a painful evening but I leave with good memories of the dressing room tonight. After the match, talking with the boys… they were two beautiful hours."

It's been a brutal World Cup for the coaches with Tunisia sacking Sabri Lamouchi one match into the tournament.

Joining Beccacece and Koubek in standing down at Steve Clarke (Scotland), Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) and Hong Myung-bo (South Korea).

SENEGAL HAVE SCORED!

They have played the patience game Senegal and it has paid off in spades. Belgium for their part have been shocking - barely out of the locker room to be honest. First the header comes off the post but Habib Diarra is there to finish things off.

ENGLAND SAVED AT THE DEATH

England were 16 minutes from an embarrassing World Cup exit before Harry Kane stood up and led his nation to the last 16.

Two goals from the captain inside 11 minutes saved England's blushes after they had trailed since the 7th minute after Brian Cipenga opened the scoring.

Defeat would have marked England's worst World Cup in 76 years (defeat to USA in 1950).

Next up is a daunting visit to the Azteca stadium to face co-hosts Mexico who are yet to concede this tournament.

Perhaps I'm overly confident but according to the omen betters in the UK, this is the first time England have come from behind in a World Cup game since 1966. We ALL remember what happened back then!