The United States reached the World Cup last 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina, surviving Folarin Balogun’s second-half red card before Malik Tillman sealed the night with a late free-kick.
They survived a major second-half test to beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 and book their place in the World Cup last 16.
Folarin Balogun gave the co-hosts the lead before half-time, but the match turned sharply after the striker was sent off following a VAR review in the second half. With Bosnia pushing against 10 men, the USA had to defend the result before Malik Tillman struck from a free-kick to secure the win.
The result sends Mauricio Pochettino’s side into a last-16 meeting with Belgium, who advanced after a dramatic comeback win over Senegal. The USA will enter that tie with momentum, but also with a major attacking concern after Balogun’s red card.
Bosnia Threatened First
The USA carried the pressure of a home knockout tie, but Bosnia produced the first serious warning.
Ermedin Demirović tested goalkeeper Matt Freese early with a powerful effort from inside the box, forcing the American keeper into action and reminding the hosts that the tie would not be controlled by atmosphere alone.
The Americans thought they had gone ahead on the half-hour mark when Balogun finished calmly after a high turnover, but the flag went up for offside.
That warning did not stop him. On the stroke of half-time, Balogun reacted quickest to a deflected ball and fired through Nikola Vasilj to put the USA in front. It was the breakthrough the hosts needed, and it changed the emotional weight of the night.
Balogun Red Card Changed The Game
The USA almost doubled their lead before the interval when Balogun hit the crossbar after Sergiño Dest’s knockdown, but the striker’s night later took a damaging turn.
In the second half, Balogun was sent off after a VAR review for a challenge on Tarik Muharemović, leaving the USA to protect a narrow lead with 10 men. Current reports say the red card leaves Balogun unavailable for the Belgium match.
That dismissal changed the rhythm of the tie. Bosnia had the extra player, the territory and the chance to force their way back.
But the USA held firm.
Pochettino’s side dropped deeper, defended with urgency and refused to let Bosnia turn their advantage into a clear route back into the match.
Tillman Seals It
The decisive moment came from Tillman.
With the USA still under pressure, the midfielder stepped up from 20 yards and sent a free-kick beyond Vasilj to make it 2-0. The finish turned a tense survival job into a statement of nerve.
Bosnia pushed late, but they could not make their man advantage count.
For Bosnia, the defeat ends their first World Cup knockout appearance in pain. They had the opening, the extra man and the second-half momentum, but they lacked the final edge to punish the hosts.
Belgium Test Comes Next
For the USA, this was not a perfect performance. It was a pressure win.
They lost their goalscorer, had to defend with 10 men and needed Tillman’s late quality to close the match. But in knockout football, survival carries its own authority.
The next test is bigger. Belgium now waits in the last 16, and the USA will enter that tie with belief, momentum and one major selection problem created by Balogun’s red card.
The hosts are still alive. But from here, every mistake gets heavier.