United States beat Bosnia 2-0 with ten men to reach the last 16 despite Balogun's red card

The United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers in the heart of Silicon Valley, holding 68,827 spectators and one of the most high-tech and sustainable venues in the San Francisco Bay Area at this 48-team World Cup co-hosted with Mexico and Canada. The co-hosts came through a knockout round-of-32 tie they had to settle with a man down for almost half an hour.

The game broke open just before half-time. In the 45th minute, Folarin Balogun put Mauricio Pochettino's side ahead, lined up in a 4-3-3 with Matthew Freese in goal, to head to the break in front. The forward's goal at the end of the first half set the hosts on their way.

Everything got complicated in the 64th minute, when Balogun himself was shown a red card and left the United States with ten men. Bosnia, coached by Sergej Barbarez in a 5-3-2 with Nikola Vasilj in goal and Edin Dzeko on the pitch, tried to exploit the numerical advantage but ran into an organised, solid American defence.

Far from sitting back, the hosts made sure with ten. In the 82nd minute, Malik Tillman sealed the 2-0 to spark celebrations in Santa Clara. The midfielder, scorer of the clinching goal, was named man of the match after a decisive display on both sides of the ball.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, unable to create danger despite playing more than 25 minutes with an extra man, bow out of the 2026 World Cup empty-handed. Barbarez's side also picked up two late yellows and found no way through to Freese's goal.

With this hard-earned win, the United States advance to the round of 16, where Belgium — who came from behind to beat Senegal in extra time — await. The co-hosts, roared on by their fans, are dreaming big at a home World Cup and face a heavyweight tie against the Red Devils.