One after another, teammates and opponents approached Folarin Balogun. Christian Pulisic pulled the striker into a hug. Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac even patted him on the head and then, as the USA striker wandered toward the tunnel of Levi’s Stadium, several substitutes followed him to offer their two cents. Really, though, what can you say? How can you explain what the striker went through over these 64 minutes?
In this clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun scored the goal – his third of this World Cup – that put the USMNT on course for the last 16. Then he was shown a laughable red card that threatened to derail America’s summer.
Thankfully, it didn’t cost the USA here after Malik Tillman’s free kick, eight minutes from time, made sure of a 2-0 victory. Mauricio Pochettino’s team deserved nothing less after another performance of energy and grit and character. The USA has now broken a long winless run against European opposition and secured only its second knockout stage win in World Cup history. That should be the story.
But now Pochettino faces at least one game without his No 9 – potentially more if Balogun’s punishment is increased. How costly could that prove?
His opener came near the end of a bonkers first half for the striker, when he had a goal disallowed, hit the woodwork and saw a penalty appeal turned down.
Then, midway through the second half, Balogun collided with Bosnia and Herzegovina center back Tarik Muharemovic. The defender went down in agony but no one inside Levi’s Stadium thought much of it until a message appeared on the big screen: VAR was checking for a possible red card. Cue a visit to the monitor for Brazilian referee Raphael Claus.
Folarin Balogun scored the opening goal in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
But in the second half, the striker was controversially sent off by referee Raphael Claus
Malik Tillman made sure of the victory with a free kick late on against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Replays showed Balogun’s studs running down the back of Muharemovic’s leg and then landing on the defender’s ankle. It was a painful one. It certainly didn’t look pretty when slowed down, frame-by-frame. Make no mistake, though, the decision to give a red card was a ludicrous one.
This was a simple tussle, a tangle of legs as Balogun – eyes fixed on the ball – looked to secure possession for his side. There was no force, no intent. What are we doing? Lest we forget that, a couple of weeks ago, Lionel Messi escaped without a card after his studs-up challenge on the calf and Achilles of Algeria captain Aissa Mandi.
Thankfully Tillman, who has quietly been one of the stars of this team, made sure Claus didn’t cost the US too dear on Wednesday night. Next up, Belgium and a shot at a first quarterfinal since 2002.
It didn’t take long for Bosnia and Herzegovina to drag the US into uncharted waters at this World Cup. In all three group stage games, Pochettino’s team took the lead inside 12 minutes. Here, they had to wait half an hour to find the net. And until the cusp of halftime to break the deadlock.
What a whirlwind first 45 minutes this was for Balogun. Here’s a brief run-through all the chaos: first, Balogun went down under a challenge from Amar Dedic. There appeared to be contact but the referee said no. It would have been soft.
A few minutes later, Balogun found the net after Malik Tillman stole possession high up the pitch. This time, however, the offside flag denied the striker.
His goal eventually arrived in the 45th minute. It came with a hefty dose of good fortune that Balogun had earned with all his endeavor: from Tyler Adams’ neat backheel, Tillman slid a through-ball towards Balogun. It eventually reached the striker after diverting off two defenders. Balogun made no mistake, sliding the ball beyond Nikola Vasilj. He is now just one of three USA players to score at least three goals at a single World Cup and he celebrated with his own version of LeBron James’ signature ‘Silencer’.
Somehow the striker should have had a second before the break. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Adams clipped a pass to Sergino Dest at the back post. His header found Balogun, who could only loop a shot on to the bar. And breathe.
At the end of it all? The United States were in front and 45 minutes from the last 16. Bosnia and Herzegovina could have no quibbles with the scoreline – despite creating a few chances of their own.
Balogun was shown a straight red card after his collision with Tarik Muharemovic
Mauricio Pochettino and his players celebrate the 2-0 victory in Santa Clara on Wednesday
The clearest couple came within moments of each other. First, from a long ball to Edin Dzeko, Ermedin Demirovic unleashed a shot that was parried by Matt Freese. Kerim Alajbegovic then curled the resulting corner under Freese’s crossbar, forcing the goalkeeper to claw it away. Either side of those scares, however, the US looked the more threatening side.
Pulisic, back in the starting lineup for the first time since America’s opening game, was bright off the left flank and McKennie’s runs in behind caused issues time and again.
On one occasion, his cross was pushed clear by Vasilj, who then paid a heavy price: the goalkeeper’s face collided with the knee of Antonee Robinson. Vasilj was still icing his left cheek during the first hydration break.
Boos greeted that pause and before long, more frustration rained down from the stands as the US banged and banged at the door. Eventually the home fans had the goal they craved.
Unfortunately, the early evidence of these knockout rounds suggested the drama was only about to begin. Before this, there had been nine games in the round of 32. Seven were decided no earlier than the 86th minute.
Malik Tilmann’s free-kick made the game safe the United States, who now play Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Sergej Barbarez, a former professional poker player, rolled the dice early in the second half, making three substitutions. Among those he threw on? Esmir Bajraktarevic, who was born in Wisconsin and represented the USMNT in 2024 before committing to Bosnia.
He is the son of refugees and the winger scored the goal that brought Bosnia and Herzegovina to this World Cup. In the end, though, neither Bajraktarevic, nor the referee, nor Ermin Mahmic – who came close with two stoppage-time shots – could halt the US’ march to the round of 16.
Pulisic thought he had secured victory when he scored with 12 minutes to go. Tillman was at the heart of it once more. But again the offside denied the USMNT. If only for a few more minutes.
