2026 World Cup: USA beat Bosnia and march into the last 16, Balogun scores then is sent off
The United States keep rolling at home, and right now nobody looks capable of stopping them. In Santa Clara, Team USA outplayed Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to book their place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. It was their first knockout win at a World Cup since 2002, when the Americans beat Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16. The night belonged to Folarin Balogun, who scored the opener and his third goal of the tournament, matching the tally Landon Donovan set in 2010, before being sent off after a nasty challenge following a VAR review in the 64th minute.
The first half was a scrap against a well-drilled Bosnian block that had already frustrated Canada and Switzerland in the group stage. Dangerous from corners, Sergej Barbarez’s side still sat too deep to really cause serious problems. The American pressure finally told late in the first half. After a turnover high up the pitch and a vertical move built on four one-touch passes, Balogun found the opening with smart movement and a Bosnian defensive lapse in the 45th minute. Balogun then rattled the bar deep into stoppage time in the 45th+8 minute before heading off to a roaring ovation from Levi’s Stadium.
on MathODDS
Balogun sent off, Tillman finishes it, Belgium awaits in Seattle
The second half took an unexpected turn. After planting a bad challenge on Tarik Muharemovic’s heel, Balogun was shown red following a VAR check in the 64th minute. A major blow for what comes next, with the Monaco striker now suspended for the last-16 tie. But even down to 10 men, the United States never really looked rattled by Bosnia’s weak push forward. Malik Tillman wrapped it up with a direct free kick in the 82nd minute to make it 2-0.
Balogun’s absence will sting against Belgium in Seattle, but by the final whistle the mood was pure celebration inside a bouncing Levi’s Stadium. With three goals at this World Cup, only Bert Patenaude, who scored four in 1930, has done better for the United States in a single edition of the tournament. The Americans go on, they win, and their fans are right there behind them every step of the way.
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