United States beats Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 but plays with ten men after Balogun red card

The United States men's national soccer team defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on July 1, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, advancing to the round of 16. Folarin Balogun scored in the 45th minute after a pass from Malik Tillman. A potential goal by Balogun in the 31st minute was disallowed for offside.

Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute from Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after a video review of a challenge on Tarik Muharemović. The United States played with ten players for the remainder of the match. Malik Tillman scored the second goal in the 81st minute on a free kick from outside the penalty area after changing his right boot.

The victory marked the United States' second World Cup knockout-round win. The team reached the semifinals in 1930 and defeated Mexico in the round of 16 in 2002. The United States will face Belgium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle.

Balogun leads the United States with three goals in the 2026 World Cup and is suspended for the Belgium match. He matched Landon Donovan's 2010 total for the second-most goals by an American in a single World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino stated that the red card was never warranted.

Christian Pulisic stated that the team had to dig deep after the red card. Malik Tillman stated that the team has players who can replace Balogun. The match was played less than 20 miles from Stanford Stadium, site of the United States' 1994 World Cup knockout-round loss to Brazil.

The United States snapped a 10-game winless streak against European teams dating to a 2022 World Cup tie with England.