The United States men’s national team advanced to the World Cup last 16 with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium in California. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will face Belgium in the next round.

The hosts dominated much of the first half, making good on their first-place finish in Group D by controlling possession and creating the better chances.

The breakthrough came just before halftime when striker Folarin Balogun latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Malik Tillman, created space for himself and slotted home in the 45th minute. 

Balogun had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside.

Red card

The match took a dramatic turn with less than 30 minutes remaining.

After Balogun challenged Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović, referee Raphael Claus was called to the pitchside monitor following a VAR review. 

Having initially let play continue, Claus determined that Balogun had caught his opponent with his studs and showed the U.S. striker a straight red card.

VAR was again at the center of the action in the 78th minute when Christian Pulisic had a goal disallowed.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Pochettino’s side wrapped up the victory four minutes later. Tillman curled a superb free kick into the net in the 82nd minute to seal the 2-0 win.

Pochettino praised both the result and his team’s resilience.

“It’s not only the victory, it’s the way that we earned the victory that is so important,” he said, adding that he was proud of how his players responded after going down to 10 men.

“For us, it’s about to keep dreaming,” he said. “Keep working. Everything is possible in football if you believe, and we are going to believe.”

Next stage

The United States will face Belgium on Monday, July 6, at Lumen Field in Seattle, with kick-off scheduled for 9 p.m. Argentina time. 

Belgium reached the knockout stage after coming from two goals down to beat Senegal in extra time.

A victory would send the US into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, matching its best result of the modern era. 

The teams’ best-ever World Cup finish remains third place at the inaugural tournament in 1930.

Cover image: USMNT Twitter