USA Beat Bosnia and Herzegovina to Reach World Cup Last 16
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The United States continued its World Cup journey with a tense 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, securing a place in the last 16 and keeping the host nation’s hopes alive.
Folarin Balogun opened the scoring just before halftime after a difficult first half in which the U.S. controlled possession but struggled to turn pressure into clear chances. Bosnia and Herzegovina stayed compact defensively and tried to frustrate the American attack, but the breakthrough gave the hosts a crucial advantage before the interval. The Guardian’s live match coverage reported the final score as a 2-0 win for the United States in Santa Clara.
The match became more complicated for the U.S. after Balogun was sent off in the second half following a VAR review, leaving the Americans to protect their lead with ten players. Despite the pressure, the U.S. doubled its advantage in the closing stages through Malik Tillman, whose free kick settled the contest and ended Bosnia’s hopes of a late comeback.
Christian Pulisic returned to the starting lineup for the knockout match, giving the U.S. an important attacking presence in a game carrying major pressure for the co-hosts. Reuters had reported before kickoff that Pulisic was back in a much-changed American starting eleven for the Round of 32 clash.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the defeat marked the end of a determined World Cup run. The team entered the knockout stage as a difficult and unpredictable opponent, with Reuters noting before the match that the U.S. considered Bosnia a serious test because of its physical style, qualifying campaign, and experienced captain Edin Dzeko.
The win sends the United States into the last 16, where the level of difficulty will rise sharply. The result was important not only because it extended the American campaign, but because it kept the home crowd invested in a tournament where the U.S. is trying to turn hosting pressure into football momentum.
The performance was not perfect, especially after the red card, but the United States found the result it needed: a clean sheet, two goals, and a place in the next round of the 2026 World Cup.
