USA Beat Bosnia Despite Balogun Red Card To Set Up Belgium Showdown

The United States booked their place in the World Cup last 16 with a resilient 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina despite playing more than 30 minutes with 10 men following Folarin Balogun’s dismissal, Softfootball reports.

Balogun gave the hosts the lead just before half-time, finishing clinically to lift the Santa Clara crowd. However, the game turned on 62 minutes when the striker was sent off after a reckless challenge on Tarik Muharemović. Although no foul was initially given, a VAR review showed Balogun’s studs raking down the defender’s calf before catching his ankle, leaving the referee with little choice but to issue a straight red.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Mauricio Pochettino’s side defended superbly and restricted Bosnia to just 0.29 expected goals. Malik Tillman sealed the victory in the 80th minute with a superb free-kick that sailed over the wall and beyond goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.

The victory sends the USA into a round-of-16 clash against Belgium, who completed a stunning 3-2 extra-time comeback against Senegal. However, the Americans will be without suspended Balogun as they look to continue their impressive run on home soil.

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