USA advances in World Cup, Balogun red card raises questions

By Bilal Ahmed — 2 July 2026 — 4 min read

USA secures World Cup last 16 spot

The United States national team has advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup after a victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The match, held at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, saw the co-hosts secure a 2-0 win, marking their first knockout victory in nearly a quarter-century and only their second ever in the tournament. This result sets up a fixture against Belgium in Seattle.

The atmosphere at the stadium was festive, with supporters arriving in high spirits. The game’s intensity was underscored by a pre-match fighter jet flyover under clear skies. Bosnia-Herzegovina began with an immediate long ball, while the US defence maintained a high line, consistently pushing forward.

Despite the US pressure, Bosnia-Herzegovina created early opportunities. Their captain, Edin Dzeko, set up Ermedin Demirovic, whose shot was saved by US goalkeeper Matt Freese. Freese also made another save from a Kerim Alajbegovic corner, which nearly went directly into the net. However, the US began to assert dominance as the match progressed.

Balogun’s impact and red card incident

Folarin Balogun, a 24-year-old forward, opened the scoring for the US just before half-time, sending the crowd into a frenzy. This goal was Balogun’s third of the tournament, building on his performance in an earlier win against Paraguay where he scored two goals. He had other chances, including an effort ruled out for offside and a shot that hit the crossbar.

However, Balogun’s night took an unexpected turn after the hour mark. Following what appeared to be an accidental clash with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, Balogun was shown a straight red card. The incident involved Balogun’s boot landing on Muharemovic’s ankle after shielding the ball. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the play on a monitor, leading to the red card decision.

The sending-off means Balogun will miss the upcoming match against Belgium due to an immediate one-game ban. There is also a possibility that Fifa officials could extend the ban, potentially ruling him out of further matches should the US continue to advance in the tournament. This incident etched Balogun’s name into the record books as only the fourth player to both score and be sent off in a knockout match in World Cup history.

The red card occurred in the 64th minute, with the crowd reportedly stunned by the decision. Despite being reduced to ten men, the US team maintained their composure. Coach Mauricio Pochettino gathered his players during a hydration break, rallying them to hold their ground for the remainder of the game. Even with the numerical disadvantage, Malik Tillman secured the win by curling in a free kick in the 82nd minute, past goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.

Team reaction and future prospects

US defender Chris Richards expressed the team’s support for Balogun, stating, “We told him we have got his back. We are a team of 26, not just one.” Richards emphasised the team’s collective strength, noting that while Balogun would be missed, another player would step up to fill his role. He added that the situation could make the team stronger, reinforcing the idea that they are more than just one or eleven players.

Pochettino echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s resilience after the red card. He observed that his players were ready to fight, describing their spirit as “amazing.” Pochettino believes the team is creating a legacy and that with the support of their fans, “everything is possible.”

Former England forward Sue Smith suggested that the red card galvanised the US team, allowing them to demonstrate a professional and defensively sound performance against Bosnia-Herzegovina. She noted that Bosnia-Herzegovina struggled to find a finishing touch despite their efforts. Smith believes the US has surprised many with their play and progress in the tournament, and they are expected to provide a strong challenge for Belgium. Pochettino’s message of “believe” seems to resonate with the squad, who appear confident in facing any opponent with the backing of their supporters.

The US team successfully navigated a tense period of stoppage time, maintaining a clean sheet and securing a historic victory, keeping their World Cup journey alive on home soil. Chants of “USA” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” filled the stadium after the final whistle.

Source: bbc.com