A hard‑won victory
The U.S. men's national soccer team moved into the World Cup round of 16 with a 2‑0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a result that ends a lengthy winless run against European opponents.
Striker Folarin Balogun opened the scoring early, only to be sent off later in the second half after a second yellow card, leaving the Americans a man down.
Malik Tillman capped the performance with an 82nd‑minute free kick that sealed the victory, ensuring the team finished top of their group.
Because of Balogun’s suspension, the U.S. will meet Belgium in the next round without their leading scorer, a matchup that revisits the 2014 encounter between the two sides.
The win marks only the second time the U.S. has reached the knockout rounds in World Cup history, underscoring progress but also highlighting the need to retain key players for future campaigns.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s side showed resilience, holding off a physical Bosnian outfit even after being reduced to ten men, a display that bodes well for the upcoming clash.