The United States kept their World Cup dream alive with a thrilling 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, securing a place in the round of 16 despite playing the final leg with 10 men. Folarin Balogun gave the co-hosts the lead before being sent off, but Malik Tillman put the result beyond doubt with a spectacular free-kick as the Americans mustered their courage to see the game out.

The win sends the Americans to the Round of 16, where Belgium awaits in Seattle on July 6, and keeps alive hopes of equaling or bettering their memorable quarterfinal performance in 2002.

USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, FIFA World Cup: Highlights

The United States earned its first World Cup knockout win since 2002, but it was not going to be easy after Balogun, who broke the deadlock just before halftime, was shown a straight red card in the 64th minute.

Matt Freese made three saves to record his second clean sheet of the tournament as the home visitors held the co-hosts over the line.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were playing in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time and made a great start. Following the early corner, Frij was forced to make back-to-back saves from Ermedin Demirovic and Kerim Alajbegovic as the visitors threatened to take the lead.

The Americans gradually joined the competition and began to gain possession. Christian Pulisic thought he had broken the deadlock in the 78th minute, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Earlier, the hosts finally eased their pressure in first-half stoppage time. Tarik Muharemovic’s ball into the defensive mix-up headed into Balogun’s path, and the striker reacted quickly, stopped, turned on his left foot and calmly slipped the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs for his third goal of the tournament.

Balogun almost doubled the advantage later when he crashed Sergino Dest’s pass against the crossbar.

The game changed in the 64th minute when Balogun was sent off after a challenge on Muharremovic. Referee Raphael Clowes initially allowed the game to continue, but was called to the pitchside monitor, where he changed the decision to a straight red card after seeing the defender being caught above the ankle by Balogun’s studs.

With just over 25 minutes remaining, Bosnia and Herzegovina sensed an opportunity and committed to pushing more players forward. The United States were forced to penetrate deep into their own half, but defended with discipline, limiting the visitors to few clear openings despite the numerical disadvantage.

Bosnian captain Edin Dzeko’s evening ended early in the second half when the 40-year-old limped off the field with a leg injury. Asmir Bajraktarević, who was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, and made one appearance for the United States in 2024 before switching allegiance to Bosnia and Herzegovina, came up against his former national team.

All the nervousness inside the stadium disappeared when Tillman produced the decisive moment in the 82nd minute. After Stjepan Radeljic was booked for fouling Dest just outside the area, Tillman doubled the lead and sealed the result by firing a superb free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Pochettino named the same starting eleven that defeated Paraguay 4–1 in the opening match, with Pulisic retaining his place after recovering from the calf injury that had ruled him out against Australia and limited him to a substitute appearance against Turkey in the Group D final.

The United States will now face Belgium for a place in the quarter-finals, although they will be without Balogun, whose suspension is the only disappointment on an otherwise memorable night for the co-hosts.

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