2026 World Cup: LeBron James reacts to Folarin Balogun's goal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, others erupt after his red card

Folarin Balogun both scored and was thrown out of the United States’ knockout round match with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night. It looked like Balogun scored the first goal of the game early in the Bay Area, and he immediately celebrated by hitting LeBron James’ iconic “Silencer” celebration. But the goal was overturned and ruled offside instead, voiding the celebration moment. Flo Balogun finds the net for the US but the flag is up for offside pic.twitter.com/VNncEn0KYk — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026 Balogun didn't let it get to his head, though, and scored the first goal of the match later in the half. After netting the 45th-minute goal to put the U.S. up 1-0 early, the striker hit the "Silencer" celebration for the second time, though this time after an official goal. THE @USMNT TAKES THE LEAD 🇺🇸 NOW BALOGUN CAN REALLY HIT THE @KingJames SILENCER! pic.twitter.com/4t9LzMjUUG — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026 It did not go unnoticed, either. The King himself gave Balogun props. LFG!!!!!! THE 🤫 HAS 🛬 at the World Cup! Helluva goal there Young 🤴🏾! 🫡. GO 🇺🇸 https://t.co/8wb2t2F6oq — LeBron James (@KingJames) July 2, 2026 James wasn't the only person who appreciated the score. It sent the home fans into a raucous celebration, and that emotion transferred around the various watch parties supporting Team USA. Casa VERDE as the @USMNT strike on the eve of halftime! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/tX3Jkqb782 — Austin FC (@AustinFC) July 2, 2026 SCENES IN SEATTLE 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 THE USMNT OPEN UP THE SCORING!!! pic.twitter.com/XVjHqxmNi0 — Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) July 2, 2026 FLO SENDS THIS PLACE INTO A FRENZY 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/L5T5fIxtl1 — Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) July 2, 2026 ABSOLUTE SCENES IN WASHINGTON DC AFTER BALOGUN'S GOAL 🔊 @USMNT pic.twitter.com/ae5vtQNEiS — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026 But in the second half, it was a very different story. Folarin Balogun given red card in second half Midway through the second half, Balogun was sent off with a red card after he committed a foul and stepped on the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. This play is being reviewed for a potential red card against the US pic.twitter.com/EdyPpgpycA — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026 Balogun was thrown out of the game after a review. That meant that the United States had to finish out the rest of the game with 10 players, and Balogun is ineligible to play in the Round of 16 should the United States advance. Balogun is now just the fourth player to both score a goal and receive a red card in a World Cup knockout match, and the first since Zinedinie Zidane did so with France in 2006. Naturally, fans watching at home were livid with the decision. That’s not a red!!! 🤦‍♂️ — Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) July 2, 2026 Red card for that means you’ve lost the plot. Completely lost the plot. #USMNT — Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) July 2, 2026 You’ve gotta be kidding me…. 🇺🇸 — JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 2, 2026 Does Finebaum take calls about World Cup officiating? Because I think he might get a few. — Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) July 2, 2026 Oh, no: Balogun, our most dangerous striker, red-carded. That was an accidental yellow, nothing more. — Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 2, 2026 What a horrific, awful, horrible decision. Watch the game with your eyes. Balogun steps on the guy on accident. Potentially ruining our World Cup on a play that wasn’t even given a yellow in real time. — Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) July 2, 2026 WEAK — Mina Kimes (@minakimes) July 2, 2026 That’s a horrible call wtf!! — Allen Lazard 👑 (@AllenLazard) July 2, 2026 But even while they were down a man, the United States managed to score again later in the second half. Malik Tillman found the back of the net in the 82nd minute, which put the United States up 2-0. This story will be updated.