One by one, Folarin Balogun was met by players from both sides. Christian Pulisic wrapped the striker in an embrace. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Sead Kolasinac gave him a consoling pat on the head. As Balogun made his way toward the tunnel at Levi’s Stadium, substitutes drifted over to offer a few words of encouragement. In truth, there was little anyone could say. How do you neatly sum up the chaos of those 64 minutes?
Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun scored the goal — his third of this World Cup — that helped steer the USMNT toward the last 16. Not long afterward, he was shown a highly controversial red card that briefly threatened to turn America’s night, and perhaps its summer, upside down.
Fortunately for the United States, the dismissal did not prove decisive. Mauricio Pochettino’s side, reduced to 10 men, held firm before Malik Tillman curled in a superb free kick eight minutes from time to seal a 2-0 win. On the balance of the match, the USMNT merited the result after another display built on intensity, resilience and nerve. They ended a long winless run against European opposition and claimed only the second knockout-stage victory in their World Cup history. That should have been the headline.
Instead, Pochettino must now prepare for at least one match without his No. 9, with the possibility of a longer absence if Balogun’s punishment is extended. The potential impact is obvious, and the frustration is sharpened by FIFA rules that allow red cards to be appealed only in cases of mistaken identity or when a player is facing a multi-game ban.
Balogun became the first player since Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 final to both score and be sent off in the same World Cup knockout match. His goal arrived near the end of a wild first half in which he also had another effort ruled out, struck the woodwork and saw a penalty appeal waved away.
The decisive controversy came midway through the second half, when Balogun collided with Bosnia and Herzegovina center back Tarik Muharemovic. The defender went down in visible pain, though few inside Levi’s Stadium appeared to view the incident as especially serious until the big screen announced a VAR review for a possible red card. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus was then sent to the monitor.
Folarin Balogun opened the scoring in the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina
The striker was later controversially dismissed in the second half by referee Raphael Claus
Malik Tillman made sure of the victory with a free kick late on against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Replays showed Balogun’s studs running down the back of Muharemovic’s leg and then landing on the defender’s ankle. It was a painful one. It certainly didn’t look pretty when slowed down, frame-by-frame. Make no mistake, though, the decision to give a red card was a ludicrous one.
This was a simple tussle, a tangle of legs as Balogun – eyes fixed on the ball – looked to secure possession for his side. There was no force, no intent. What are we doing? After all, only a couple of weeks ago, Lionel Messi escaped without a card after his studs-up challenge on the calf and Achilles of Algeria captain Aissa Mandi.
Thankfully, Tillman – who has quietly been one of the stars of this team – made sure Claus’ decision didn’t impact this result. The midfielder deserved his goal and all the plaudits. He was superb. Next up? Belgium and a shot at a first quarterfinal since 2002.
It didn’t take long for Bosnia and Herzegovina to drag the US into uncharted waters at this World Cup. In all three group stage games, Pochettino’s team took the lead inside 12 minutes. Here, they had to wait half an hour to find the net. And until the cusp of halftime to break the deadlock.
What a whirlwind first 45 minutes this was for Balogun. Here’s a brief run-through all the chaos: first, Balogun went down under a challenge from Amar Dedic. There appeared to be contact but the referee said no. It would have been soft.
A few minutes later, Balogun found the net after Malik Tillman stole possession high up the pitch. This time, however, the offside flag denied the striker.
His goal eventually arrived in the 45th minute. It came with a hefty dose of good fortune that Balogun had earned with all his endeavor: from Tyler Adams’ neat backheel, Tillman slid a through-ball towards Balogun. It eventually reached the striker after diverting off two defenders. Balogun made no mistake, sliding the ball beyond Nikola Vasilj. He is now just one of three USA players to score at least three goals at a single World Cup and he celebrated with his own version of LeBron James’ signature ‘Silencer’.
Somehow the striker should have had a second before the break. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Adams clipped a pass to Sergino Dest at the back post. His header found Balogun, who could only loop a shot on to the bar. And breathe.
At the end of it all? The United States were in front and 45 minutes from the last 16. Bosnia and Herzegovina could have no quibbles with the scoreline – despite creating a few chances of their own.
Balogun was shown a straight red card after his collision with Tarik Muharemovic
Mauricio Pochettino and his players celebrate the 2-0 victory in Santa Clara on Wednesday
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The clearest couple came within moments of each other. First, from a long ball to Edin Dzeko, Ermedin Demirovic unleashed a shot that was parried by Matt Freese. Kerim Alajbegovic then curled the resulting corner under Freese’s crossbar, forcing the goalkeeper to claw it away. Either side of those scares, however, the US looked the more threatening side.
Pulisic, back in the starting lineup for the first time since America’s opening game, was bright off the left flank and McKennie’s runs in behind caused issues time and again.
On one occasion, his cross was pushed clear by Vasilj, who then paid a heavy price: the goalkeeper’s face collided with the knee of Antonee Robinson. Vasilj was still icing his left cheek during the first hydration break.
Boos greeted that pause and before long, more frustration rained down from the stands as the US banged and banged at the door. Eventually the home fans had the goal they craved.
Unfortunately, the early evidence of these knockout rounds suggested the drama was only about to begin. Before this, there had been nine games in the round of 32. Seven were decided no earlier than the 86th minute.
Malik Tilmann’s free-kick made the game safe the United States, who now play Belgium
USA scorer Tilmann celebrates with captain Tim Ream after the final whistle was blown
Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Sergej Barbarez, a former professional poker player, rolled the dice early in the second half, making three substitutions. Among those he threw on? Esmir Bajraktarevic, who was born in Wisconsin and represented the USMNT in 2024 before committing to Bosnia.
He is the son of refugees and the winger scored the goal that brought Bosnia and Herzegovina to this World Cup. In the end, though, neither Bajraktarevic, nor the referee, nor Ermin Mahmic – who came close with two stoppage-time shots – could halt the US’ march to the round of 16.
Pulisic thought he had secured victory when he scored with 12 minutes to go. Tillman was at the heart of it once more. But again the offside denied the USMNT. If only for a few more minutes.
