World Cup: Balogun scores and is sent off in nervy win for USMNT
In a Round of 32 matchup in San Francisco, the United States held on for a nerve-jangling 2-0 win over an enterprising but ultimately toothless Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun makes good on USMNT dominance
After topping Group D despite a Matchday Three loss to Turkey, the United States were rewarded with a matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a veteran side whose only victory in the group stage came against an overmatched Qatar side. For the hosts, AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun was in the eleven, while Timothy Weah (Marseille) and Mark McKenzie (Toulouse) were unused substitutes. For Bosnia, former Marseille fullbacks Amar Dedic and Sead Kolasinac werre both were starters.
The USMNT had the better of the opening exchanges, even if the first save of the match came from Matt Freese, who kept out Ermedin Demirović at his near post on nine minutes. The US would respond on the counter, with Antonee Robinson meeting a cross by Weston McKennie, only to head over the bar (17'). On the half hour, Balogun had the ball in the net with a low shot to beat Nikola Vasilj, but for the offside flag to come up. On the verge of halftime, though, Balogun wouldn't be denied, controlling and shielding the ball before unleashing a shot on the turn to put his side deservedly ahead.
Folarin Balogun bags the opener 🙌#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/cubBylzuN4
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 2, 2026
A moment of magic from Tillman to settle the nerves
Just before the interval, Balogun showed he was clearly in the mood, crashing a shot from close range off the crossbar following a knockdown by Ricardo Pepi. Just past the hour, the Monaco man went from hero to villain, though, as he saw red for a clumsy challenge on Tarik Muharemović (62'). Despite going a man down, the United States showed plenty of fighting spirit, and team talisman Christian Pulisic had the ball in the net on 78 minutes, only for the offside flag to come up.
Four minutes later, though, Malik Tillman would get a second for the US, netting from a free kick just outside the area that the goalkeeper should have done better with, but the hosts were happy with the strike, and played out the match's final fifteen minutes with more confidence to seal the win. The US' reward for the win will be a Round of 16 Matchup against Belgium in Seattle on Monday, a rematch of the pair's encounter in 2014.
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