SANTA CLARA, CA — The United States advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night at Levi's Stadium.
Folarin Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament before being sent off with a red card in the second half, while Malik Tillman added the late dagger on a free kick as the Americans held on despite playing with 10 men for the final 26 minutes plus ten more of extra time.
The victory gives the United States just its second World Cup knockout-stage win in the modern era. The Americans reached the semifinals in the inaugural 1930 tournament and previously won a Round of 16 match against Mexico in 2002.
The U.S. will face Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday in Seattle.
Bosnia threatened early, forcing goalkeeper Matt Freese into a pair of saves against Ermedin Demirovic after a deceptive goal kick caught the American defense off guard. Freese also denied Kerim Alajbegovic following the ensuing corner kick.
Balogun then took control of the match. He had one goal disallowed for offside and drew pressure inside the penalty area before breaking through just before halftime.
In the 45th minute, Tim Ream intercepted a Bosnia goal kick at midfield before Tillman found Balogun inside the penalty area. Balogun slid a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to give the United States a 1-0 lead. The goal was his third of the tournament, leaving him one shy of Bert Patenaude's U.S. men's World Cup record of four goals in a single tournament, set in 1930.
Balogun nearly doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, but his shot struck the crossbar.
The United States was forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 men after Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic. The contact looked purely incidental in real time, but a shaky judgment from the Referee capped off an already horrendous performance attempting to control the game. Unfortunately for the Americans, USA cannot appeal to FIFA and Balogun will miss the Round of 16 matchup against Belgium.
Despite being a man down, the Americans maintained their composure and sealed the victory in the 82nd minute. Tillman curled a free kick from just outside the penalty area that deflected off Vasilj's hand and into the net for a 2-0 lead.
The victory snapped the United States' 10-game winless streak against European opponents in World Cup play dating back to a draw with England in 2022. It also marked the Americans' first World Cup victory over a European nation since defeating Portugal in the group stage of the 2002 tournament.
Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded its second World Cup appearance after reaching the knockout stage for the first time. The Dragons advanced out of group play following a draw against Canada and a victory over Qatar.
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