The United States overcame second-half adversity to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night, earning only second place. FIFA World Cup victory in the country’s history despite playing the last 26 minutes with 10 men after Folarin Balogun’s red card.Balogun opened the scoring with his third goal of the tournament before being subbed off midway through the second half, but Malik Tillman struck late on to seal a memorable Round of 32 victory and send the hosts into the last 16 of the 48-team tournament.The win sets up a tough clash against Belgium in Seattle on Monday as Mauricio Pochettino’s side continue their dream run to the World Cup on home soil.
Balogun shines before the play of the red card
The United States went into the game as favourites, but survived a late scare as goalscorer Matt Freese produced two crucial saves to deny Ermedin Demirovic, while Kerim Alajbegovic also threatened in the corner.After the army settled down, Balogun took the lead.The striker had one goal ruled out for offside and called for penalties on two separate occasions before knocking down the opposition before half time. Tim Ream made a diving save near the center as Malik Tillman broke into the box, allowing Balogun to get down and left past Nikola Vasilj for his third goal of the tournament.The strike left him with only one goal for Bert Patenaude’s record of four goals by an American player in one World Cup, which was established in 1930. Balogun celebrated with his appearance of the famous LeBron James “Silencer”, after receiving an endorsement from the NBA star.However, the evening took a turn for the worse in the 64th minute. Balogun was shown a straight red card after a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, forcing the hosts to play a man down.
Tillman seals the deal with a notable success
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Americans remained defensive and frustrated Bosnia’s attempts to find an equaliser.Deciding time came in the 82nd minute when Tillman kicked a free kick just outside the penalty area. Vasilj managed to get in on the action but only assisted in the net as Levi’s Stadium erupted in cheers.The win ended a miserable run against European opposition at the World Cup. The United States had failed to beat a European team in the competition since defeating Portugal in 2002 and had gone 13 World Cup meetings without a victory, including a heartbreaking long-term loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 in 2014.It also snapped a 10-match unbeaten streak against European opponents at the World Cup and became the second win in US men’s World Cup history after the famous 2002 Round of 16 victory against Mexico. The Americans reached the semifinals in the first edition in 1930 after leading their group before the introduction of the knockout format.Bosnia, meanwhile, came out with a lot of pride after reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their second World Cup, having drawn Canada and defeated Qatar in group stage.
