Big Win Over Bosnia

Americans Score One Goal in Each Half For The Team's First Knockout Round Victory in Over 20 Years

Ten-man USMNT clinched a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara on Wednesday, ending a 24-year drought without a World Cup knockout victory and keeping alive American hopes of a deep tournament run.

Folarin Balogun broke the deadlock just before halftime, poking home a loose ball after a scrambled sequence in the box for his third goal of the tournament—his earlier effort had been chalked off for offside, part of a frustrating first half in which Bosnia's compact defense and shirt-tugging tactics limited clean U.S. chances. Shortly after the restart, Balogun's night ended early. Referee Raphael Claus, prompted by a VAR review, ruled that his challenge on Tarik Muharemovic constituted serious foul play and issued a red card. Balogun will now sit out the round of 16 due to suspension.

Rather than wilt a man down, the Americans tightened up and held firm, with Malik Tillman delivering the decisive blow in the 82nd minute, a curling free kick that beat the wall and goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to seal the result.

The victory also snapped a 10-game skid against European teams and sets up a rematch with Belgium, the side that eliminated the U.S. in the 2014 World Cup Round of 16.

"I felt we put on such a good performance and didn't deserve the red card," Pulisic said, "but for us to dig in deep like that... it took a real team effort."

Coach Mauricio Pochettino praised his group's resolve, saying, "They are the heroes."