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  • USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Balogun, Tillman fire USA into Round of 16 with 2-0 win over Bosnia

Folarin Balogun struck his third goal of the FIFA World Cup before being sent off in the second half, while Malik Tillman curled home a superb free-kick as a resilient 10-man United States side defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the Round of 16.

Balogun was the standout performer in the opening half, breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time after creating several dangerous opportunities that allowed the hosts to dominate proceedings. However, the momentum shifted in the 64th minute when the striker was shown a straight red card following a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, forcing the Americans to play the final half-hour with 10 men.

Despite being a player short, Mauricio Pochettino's side defended resolutely before Tillman put the result beyond doubt in the 82nd minute. The midfielder produced a stunning free-kick from just outside the penalty area, with his effort squeezing past the outstretched hand of Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.

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The victory marked only the second knockout-stage win for the United States in FIFA World Cup history. The Americans reached the semifinals at the inaugural 1930 tournament after topping their group and later claimed a memorable Round of 16 victory over Mexico at the 2002 World Cup.

USA will face Belgium in Seattle on Monday as they continue their bid for a deep run on home soil.

Mauricio Pochettino makes an intriguing change, bringing on Gio Reyna in place of Weston McKennie despite the hosts being down to 10 men.

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It's certainly a bold call — perhaps a sign that the memories of that Turkey game have left the manager reluctant to turn to his defensive reserves.

Bosnia continue to push forward, but Antonee Robinson rises well to head clear. Malik Tillman then does brilliantly to flick the loose ball back into the path of Tyler Adams, launching a quick USA counter.

The move carries Tillman all the way to the touchline, where he wins a valuable foul, giving the Americans a much-needed chance to slow the tempo and catch their breath.

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What a stunning free-kick! Malik Tillman curls it brilliantly over the wall and into the far corner, leaving Nikola Vasilj rooted to the spot with no chance of making the save.

It looked like one of the softer fouls of the match, but the referee awards the USA a free-kick just outside the box and shows Stjepan Radeljic a yellow card. From around 20 yards out, it isn't the easiest angle, but Tillman takes his time over the ball before producing a moment of magic. He bends a superb effort over the wall and into the far corner, with Vasilj stranded on the opposite side. A Beckham-esque free-kick—up, down and perfectly placed.

Following goalscorer Folarin Balogun's straight red card, the USA have dropped into a compact 4-4-1 shape, abandoning their high press as they look to protect their slender lead.

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Bosnia are beginning to see more of the ball, and it's Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarevic who tests the hosts with a sharp turn and low effort from a tight angle, but Matt Freese is well-positioned to make a comfortable save.

A huge turning point in the match! USA goalscorer Folarin Balogun is shown a straight red card after a VAR review, reducing the hosts to 10 men for the remainder of regulation time and potentially beyond.

Initially, the incident looked innocuous. Balogun and Nihad Muharemovic became tangled while challenging for the ball, with the American appearing to lose his balance after the collision. As he fell, his trailing leg caught Muharemovic, prompting the referee to pause play for a VAR review.

At first glance, the dismissal feels extremely harsh. Balogun never appeared to be fully in control of his movement, and the contact seemed accidental rather than deliberate. Nonetheless, after reviewing the footage, the referee opts for a straight red, leaving the USA with a significant challenge for the final half-hour.

Three changes soon after the start of the second half for Bosnia and Herzegovina as they bring on fresh legs in search of an equaliser. The visitors briefly put the ball out of play after Edin Džeko — the inspirational figure of Bosnian football — went down with what appeared to be a non-contact leg injury. His night is over, an unfortunate end for the veteran striker.

Off: Edin Džeko, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Armin Gigovic
On: Tarik Mahmic, Ivan Šunjic, Benjamin Tahirovic

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A feisty end to the half as emotions spill over after a heavy challenge on Kerim Alajbegović. He goes down and then takes an accidental knock from Tyler Adams as he falls, sparking a bit of a melee between both sides.

Bosnia are furious there’s no punishment, but it looks unintentional as the referee keeps things under control heading towards half-time.

Balogun comes inches away from a second as USA work it down the right and a header is nodded into his path inside the box. He stretches to flick it goalwards but the effort skims off the top of the bar and goes over.

Big chance goes begging, and USA remain 1-0 up at the break.

Breakthrough for the USA right on the brink of the interval. Malik Tillman tries to slip Balogun through on the right side of the box, but the ball ricochets off a sliding defender and another Bosnian shirt before falling kindly in the middle.

Balogun stays alert and tucks a low finish under Nikola Vasilj to put the USA ahead just before half-time. It’s his third goal of the tournament, and it comes at the perfect moment against a stubborn Bosnia side.

USA are frustrated again as Tyler Adams gives away a free-kick in midfield to bring another stop, with the crowd voicing their annoyance at the referee.

Back in play, Malik Tillman produces a clever backheel to release Pulisic down the left, but his cross from the byline is overhit when a low cut-back was needed.

USA start to find some rhythm around the edge of the box with quick passing and movement, but the end product isn’t there. McKennie overhits a cross from the right, and Robinson then curls one in from the left that doesn’t find anyone in red or white.

Bosnia string together their first real spell of possession, sticking to their direct approach and looking for set-piece openings rather than playing through midfield.

USA, meanwhile, keep funneling attacks down the right side again and again, with Pulisic largely isolated on the left as they struggle to break through.

Nikola Vasilj needed treatment after taking a knock to the face in a collision with Antonee Robinson, but he’s back up and play resumes in Atlanta.

Countdown to kick-off in Atlanta as the national anthems are being played and both sides prepare for their Round of 32 clash. The atmosphere is building ahead of what promises to be a tense knockout battle.

Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to adopt a defensive, compact approach after qualifying for the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. They offered limited attacking output in the group stage, registering just 20 passes into the opposition penalty area, among the lowest of all teams to reach the Round of 32.

The USA, however, have already dealt with similar low-block opponents in Paraguay and Australia, though Bosnia bring a more physical edge, having committed a tournament-high number of fouls in the group stage. After a heavy defeat to Switzerland, they bounced back with a win over Qatar to secure qualification, and also held host nation Canada to a draw, showing they can frustrate stronger sides when organised.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have confirmed their starting XI, with Sergej Barbarez opting for a compact and defensive 5-3-2/5-2-3 structure aimed at shutting down the USA’s wide threat and playing more directly into their forwards.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Confirmed Starting 11


Goalkeeper: Nikola Vasilj

Defenders: Amar Dedić, Nikola Katić, Stjepan Radeljić, Tarik Muharemović, Sead Kolašinac

Midfielders: Ivan Šunjić, Armin Gigović

Forwards: Kerim Alajbegović, Edin Džeko (Captain), Ermedin Demirović

Edin Džeko leads the line and captains the side as the focal point of Bosnia’s attack, expected to play as the main target man in a physically direct approach. The most notable decision is Esmir Bajraktarević starting on the bench, with Barbarez favouring a more defensive, resilient setup over extra wing pace. Midfielder Armin Gigović earns his first start of the tournament, tasked with breaking up the US midfield rhythm as Bosnia prepare for a tactical, compact approach in Atlanta.

— BosniaNTBall (@BosniaNTBall)

US Soccer have confirmed their lineup, with Mauricio Pochettino naming a strong XI as the USA revert back to their core group after rotation in the final group game. Captain Christian Pulisic returns to the starting lineup after recovering from a calf issue, marking a key boost for the USMNT.

USMNT Confirmed Starting 11 (3-5-2 / 3-4-3)

Goalkeeper: Matt Freese

Defenders: Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream (Captain)

Midfielders/Wing-backs: Sergiño Dest, Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Antonee Robinson

Forwards: Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun

Available Substitutes

Turner (GK), Brady (GK), Trusty, Scally, M. Robinson, Aaronson, Reyna, Arfsten, Berhalter, Weah, Zendejas, Wright, Pepi. (McKenzie and Roldan miss out through injury).

Pulisic returns after a calf issue and is expected to be fully available. Several key players return after being rested to avoid suspension risk, while 21-year-old Alex Freeman makes history as one of the youngest US players to start a World Cup knockout match.

— USMNT (@USMNT)

There is no second chance from this point onward.

The winner in Santa Clara will advance to Seattle for a Round of 16 showdown against either Belgium or Senegal, while the losing side's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign will come to an immediate end.

Stay with us throughout the evening for all the live action, goals and major moments.

Christian Pulisic and the returning Folarin Balogun are expected to lead the United States' attack, while Bosnia once again place their hopes on veteran striker Edin Džeko.

Another fascinating storyline surrounds Esmir Bajraktarević, the Wisconsin-born winger who previously represented the United States at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have already enjoyed their most successful World Cup campaign after reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

After drawing with Canada, losing to Switzerland and defeating Qatar 3-1 in a must-win match, Sergej Barbarez's side now have the chance to produce one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by eliminating one of the co-hosts.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are aiming to book a place in the Round of 16 but must overcome a European opponent to do so.

Despite reaching the knockout stage on several occasions in recent decades, the United States have not beaten European opposition in a World Cup knockout match since their run to the quarter-finals in 2002. Victory tonight would finally end that wait.

Welcome to our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi's Stadium).

The hosts topped Group D with victories over Paraguay and Australia before resting key players against Türkiye, while Bosnia and Herzegovina made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time after advancing as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Kick-off is coming up shortly.

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Source: The Times of India