United States reach World Cup last 16 as Balogun scores before costly red card

• United States defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to book a place in the World Cup round of 16.
• Folarin Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament before being sent off and suspended for the next match.
• Malik Tillman sealed victory with a superb late free kick as the Americans set up a meeting with Belgium.

The United States secured their place in the World Cup round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night, although the win was overshadowed by Folarin Balogun’s second-half red card that will rule the striker out of the clash with Belgium.

Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament on the stroke of halftime before being dismissed after a VAR review just after the hour mark. Despite playing with 10 men for the final stages, the United States wrapped up victory when Malik Tillman curled home a brilliant free kick late in the second half.

The result marked only the second World Cup knockout victory in United States history and their first since reaching the quarterfinals in 2002. It also ended a 10-match winless run against European opposition at the World Cup.

“It wasn’t a perfect day by any means,” defender Chris Richards said. “But it was our day.”

The turning point came in the 63rd minute when Balogun challenged Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic inside the attacking third. Referee Raphael Claus was instructed by the video assistant referee to review the incident before showing the United States forward a straight red card for serious foul play after concluding his studs had made contact with Muharemovic’s leg and ankle.

Balogun left the pitch visibly stunned and was consoled by teammates Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah as he made his way to the dressing room.

“We had to dig deep for that one,” Pulisic said.

“It didn’t go exactly to plan with the red card, but that just shows what a good team we are. We said in the hydration break this is what it takes to be a really strong team, and we were able to do it.”

The dismissal means Balogun will miss the round-of-16 meeting with Belgium through suspension after becoming the first player to score and receive a red card in the same World Cup knockout match since Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 final.

FIFA regulations impose a minimum one-match suspension for a straight red card at the tournament, with United States Soccer only able to appeal if any additional punishment is handed down.

“One man’s down, the next guy steps up,” Richards said.

“I think people were asking the same question when Christian went down and the next guy stepped up. So we’re definitely a team. We’re more than just one player.”

The Americans had controlled possession for much of the first half but found Bosnia difficult to break down. Balogun thought he had opened the scoring midway through the half before his effort was correctly ruled out for offside, while he also appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty after being challenged inside the area.

Their breakthrough eventually arrived in first-half stoppage time. Tim Ream won possession in midfield before Tyler Adams cleverly flicked the ball into Tillman’s path. His pass into the penalty area took a fortunate deflection and fell perfectly for Balogun, who calmly finished beneath the advancing goalkeeper.

Reduced to 10 men after Balogun’s dismissal, the United States were briefly forced onto the defensive as Bosnia searched for an equaliser. Instead, they secured victory eight minutes from time when Tillman produced a superb free kick that curled beyond the wall and into the top corner for his first World Cup goal.

“I’ve been dreaming about maybe taking a free kick and scoring a free kick,” Tillman said.

“It’s a great feeling and a very proud moment for me.”

The victory sends Mauricio Pochettino’s side into the round of 16, where they will face Belgium with a place in the World Cup quarterfinals at stake. The Americans will, however, have to find a way to progress without Balogun after losing their leading scorer to suspension at a crucial stage of the tournament.