Folarin Balogun scored and was sent off as the United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup on Wednesday. The co-hosts’ first World Cup knockout victory in nearly a quarter-century — and only their second ever — sets up a clash with Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
Balogun's First-Half Strike
Balogun’s goal on the stroke of half-time sent the California crowd into delirium, with some 30 million Americans expected to be watching the blockbuster clash across the nation. The striker had a decent penalty shout for a clumsy Amar Dedic tackle waved away and later had the ball in the net but was offside from Weston McKennie’s smart pass. Those near misses enlivened an increasingly anxious crowd, but their nerves were reduced as Balogun scored in the 45th minute. US captain Tim Ream intercepted a Bosnian goal kick, swiftly playing it to Malik Tillman. His through ball deflected into the path of Balogun, who tucked it under the goalkeeper. Impressive holding midfielder Tyler Adams nearly created a second before the break, finding Sergino Dest, who headed back to Balogun. His shot from the six-yard line clipped the crossbar on its way over.
Red Card and Bosnian Pressure
Just five minutes into the second half, veteran Bosnian captain Edin Dzeko limped off. Bosnian coach Sergej Barbarez made a triple substitution, introducing a younger, more mobile front line featuring Wisconsin-born, US-raised Esmir Bajraktarevic, who immediately pressed higher and faster. In the 64th minute, Balogun was shown a straight red after VAR review, harshly judged to have stamped on the back of Tarik Muharemovic’s foot. With the crowd stunned, Ermedin Demirovic spurned a chance to add insult to injury, shooting straight at US goalkeeper Matt Freese from a dangerous position. US coach Mauricio Pochettino used the hydration break to gather his squad in a tight huddle on the field, rallying his outnumbered troops to hold out for the game’s final phase. Despite his team suddenly being on the backfoot, Christian Pulisic put the ball in the net, but was comfortably offside.
Tillman's Free Kick Seals Win
In the 82nd minute, the US won a free kick on the edge of the Bosnian box from a pull on Dest. Tillman curled it over the wall and to the right of Nikola Vasilj, whose fingertips could not keep it out. The Americans rode out a nervy 10 minutes of stoppage time, substitute Ermin Mahmic’s shot flashing inches wide of the far post. But they ultimately held out for a clean sheet and a historic win, keeping alive their World Cup journey on home soil, as “USA” chants and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” reverberated around the giant arena that hosted this year’s Super Bowl.
Early Bosnian Chances
Bosnia’s tactics were made clear from the kickoff — an immediate long ball — while the US defense quickly camped out on the halfway line, always pushing forward. Still, Bosnia had the best early chances. Forty-year-old captain Edin Dzeko held up a launched pass from his goalkeeper and laid it off for Demirovic, who shot right at Freese. The US ‘keeper made another good save moments later from a Kerim Alajbegovic corner, which threatened to swing straight into his net. But the US pressure began to tell, leading to Balogun's goal and eventual victory.
