US Beats Bosnia 2-0 in World Cup Match, Balogun Scores and Gets Red Card

Folarin Balogun scored and was sent off as the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup on Wednesday.

This is the co-hosts' first knockout victory in nearly 25 years and their second ever. They will face Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

Balogun's goal just before half-time sent the California crowd into excitement. About 30 million Americans were expected to watch this big match across the country.

But things took a turn for Balogun when he received a red card after a VAR review. This was due to a rough clash with Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. Even with the US down to 10 men, Malik Tillman scored a free kick to secure the win.

Fans gathered in the San Francisco Bay Area stadium, full of joy and confidence. This was shown by the pre-match flyover of fighter jets in the clear California sky.

Bosnia showed their game plan from the start with a long ball. Meanwhile, the US defense quickly set up on the halfway line, always pushing forward.

Bosnia had the better chances early on. Their captain Edin Dzeko, at 40 years old, controlled a pass from his goalkeeper and set up Ermedin Demirovic, whose shot went right at Matt Freese.

The US goalkeeper made another good save from a corner kick by Kerim Alajbegovic, which nearly slipped into the net.

But the US pressure began to show. Balogun had a penalty shout rejected for a clumsy tackle by Amar Dedic. Soon after, Balogun scored, but was ruled offside after a clever pass from Weston McKennie.

These near misses made the crowd more anxious. But their worries faded as Balogun found the net in the 45th minute.

US captain Tim Ream intercepted a Bosnian goal kick and quickly played it to Tillman. His pass deflected right to Balogun, who neatly finished under the goalkeeper.

Holding midfielder Tyler Adams almost set up a second goal before half-time. He passed to Sergino Dest, who headed the ball back to Balogun. His shot from close range hit the crossbar and went over.

Just five minutes into the second half, Dzeko limped off the pitch. Bosnian coach Sergej Barbarez made three substitutions.

A younger and quicker front line, including Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarevic, pressed the US higher and faster.

In the 64th minute, Balogun received a straight red card after a VAR review. He was judged to have stamped on Muharemovic's foot.

The crowd was stunned, and Demirovic wasted a chance to score, shooting straight at Freese from a good position.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino used the hydration break to gather his team for a quick talk, urging them to hold on for the final part of the match.

Despite being a man down, Christian Pulisic scored, but he was comfortably offside.

In the 82nd minute, the US won a free kick on the edge of the Bosnian box after Dest was pulled down. Tillman curled it over the wall and to the right of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, who could not stop it.

The Americans faced a tense 10 minutes of stoppage time. Substitute Ermin Mahmic's shot went just wide of the far post.

But they held on for a clean sheet and a historic win, keeping their World Cup journey alive on home soil. The sounds of "USA" chants and "Take Me Home, Country Roads" filled the huge stadium that hosted this year’s Super Bowl.