United States beats Bosnia and Herzegovina, advances despite Balogun red card

Folarin Balogun scored in the 45th minute, was sent off in the 64th, and the United States still beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in Santa Clara, California, to advance to the World Cup round of 16. Malik Tillman added the second goal in the 82nd minute, finishing a match that turned sharply after Balogun’s dismissal.

The red card came after a VAR review of Balogun’s challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, with the American forward judged to have dragged his cleats down the back of Muharemovic’s leg and onto his foot. Mauricio Pochettino said Balogun should not have been shown a red card, but the decision stood and will rule Balogun out of the next match.

The result gave the United States men’s national team its first World Cup knockout win since 2002 and only its second knockout-round victory in tournament history. It also sent the co-hosts through after the third and final round-of-32 game involving the home nations, keeping the Americans alive in a home World Cup that has now produced a breakthrough result and a selection problem at the same time.

Belgium now waits in the round of 16 on July 6 in Seattle, Washington. Balogun’s suspension means the U.S. will enter that match without the player who opened the scoring against Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving Pochettino to replace both his goal and the attacking role he occupied before the red card.

FIFA’s match report said the co-hosts overcame Balogun’s dismissal to secure the knockout place, and the scoreboard backed that up: Balogun at 45, Tillman at 82, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0. The Americans managed the final half-hour with 10 men and still added an insurance goal, a compact answer to a volatile night that left the bracket intact and the controversy unresolved.