Scoring a goal in each half and despite playing with ten men from the 63rd minute after Folarin Balogan (scorer of the first goal) was sent off, the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco and qualified for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Belgium in Seattle on July 7.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team was extremely cynical in its approach, managed to keep a clean sheet at the back and… The American Dream continues for the organizers who want to reach as high as they can in the competition.

The Bosnians recorded the first two “big” chances of the match in the 10th minute with Demirovc’s shot that was saved by Frij and in the 12th minute with Alaibegovic’s direct corner kick that was saved again by the Americans’ goalkeeper.

In the 22nd minute, McKennie’s cross was cleared by Vasil, and the oncoming Robinson made a clumsy header over the bar, leading to the USA’s goal just before halftime. In the 45th minute, a vertical pass from Ream deflected the ball past two defenders, and Balogan scored from close range to make it 1-0 for the United States. 

In the 45’+7′ Balogan had a chance to hit the post, but in the 63′ he became… a negative protagonist, as he was sent off with a straight red card for “stepping” on Muhamerovic, which was indicated by referee Rafael Klaus, following a VAR and on-field review.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, however, the Americans scored a second goal in the 82nd minute with a direct free kick by Malik Tillman, who made it 2-0 and “sealed” his team’s victory.

Referee : Rafael Claus (Brazil)
Yellow cards : 80′ Barbarez (on the bench), 81′ Randelić
Sent-offs : 64′ Balogan (direct sending-off)

The lineups of the two teams:
USA (Mauricio Pochettino) : Friese, Dest (87′ Berhalter), Richards, Robinson, Ream, Freeman, Adams, McKennie (90’+5′ Reina), Tillman, Pulisic (88′ Pepi), Balogan.
BOSNIA/HERZEGOVINA (Sergej Barbarez) : Vasil, Muharemovic, Kolačinac (76′ Tabakovic), Dedic, Katic (76′ Memic), Randelic, Gigovic (51′ Bayraktarevic), Sunic (51′ Tahirovic), Demirovic, Dzeko (51′ l.t. Mahmic), Alaibegovic.