The United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup Round of 16, ending a knockout-stage drought that had lasted since 2002. Folarin Balogun scored the opening goal before being sent off later in the match, leaving the co-hosts to defend their lead with ten men. The result sets up a Round of 16 meeting with Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
USA End Long Wait For Knockout Win
The United States had not won a World Cup knockout match since June 17, 2002, when the team beat Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16. That result remained the country’s only previous knockout win before Wednesday’s victory.
A large crowd gathered at the stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a fighter jet flyover marking the pre-match atmosphere.
Bosnia started aggressively, relying on long balls, while the US defense held a high line. Bosnia created the better early opportunities, with captain Edin Dzeko setting up a chance for Ermedin Demirovic that was saved by goalkeeper Matt Freese. Freese also denied a Kerim Alajbegovic corner that nearly curled into the net.
The US grew into the game as it progressed, with Balogun denied a penalty shout and having a goal ruled out for offside before halftime.
Balogun Strike And Late Red Card
The deadlock was broken in first-half stoppage time. Tim Ream intercepted a Bosnian goal kick and found Malik Tillman, whose through ball deflected into Balogun’s path. Balogun finished under the goalkeeper to give the US a 1-0 lead at the break.
Tyler Adams nearly doubled the advantage before halftime when his pass found Sergino Dest, whose header off a return ball from Balogun struck the crossbar.
Bosnia made changes at the start of the second half after Dzeko went off injured, bringing on a younger front line including Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarevic.
In the 64th minute, Balogun was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic’s foot, reducing the US to ten men. Bosnia failed to capitalize immediately, with Demirovic shooting straight at Freese from a promising position.
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Malik Tillman’s Free Kick Seals Win
With the US defending in numbers, head coach Mauricio Pochettino used a hydration break to regroup his players. Christian Pulisic had a goal ruled out for offside during this period.
The US doubled its lead in the 82nd minute when a foul on Dest earned a free kick on the edge of the Bosnian box. Tillman curled the set piece past the wall, and goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj could only get his fingertips to the ball as it went in.
Bosnia pushed for a way back in stoppage time, with substitute Ermin Mahmic firing a shot narrowly wide of the far post. The US held on to seal the 2-0 win and advance to the knockout rounds, with fans chanting inside the stadium that earlier hosted this year’s Super Bowl.
The USA will next face Belgium in Seattle in the Round of 16.
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