Ten-man USA overcome Bosnia to reach the last 16

The United States beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 at Levi's Stadium to reach the Round of 16, holding on for more than half an hour with ten men. Folarin Balogun's strike and a late Malik Tillman free-kick did the damage, but the tale was one of resilience after Balogun's red card. Mauricio Pochettino's side recorded the USA's first World Cup knockout win since 2002.

How it unfolded: Balogun's goal and dismissal, Tillman seals it

After an early offside call, Balogun opened the scoring on 45 minutes, slotting through Vasilj's legs for his third goal of the finals. On 64 minutes he was sent off after a VAR review for a stamp on Nikola Muharemovic — the first player to score and be dismissed in the same World Cup match since Zidane in 2006. Reduced to ten, USA dug in and Tillman sealed it late with a fine free-kick.

Context: resilience and a costly card

The USA defended heroically to protect a first knockout win in 24 years, vindicating Pochettino's call to dig deep. Balogun's red card, however, rules him out of the Round of 16. Bosnia, featuring USA-born Esmir Bajraktarevic, exit after a spirited campaign.

The next step: USA meet Belgium

USA advance to face Belgium on July 6 in Seattle, chasing a first World Cup quarter-final since 2002 — albeit without their suspended striker. Our forecast of USA to avoid defeat landed as the co-hosts won 2-0 despite the numerical disadvantage.