USA played the final 26 minutes with ten men. They had their top scorer sent off. Bosnia pushed, pressed, and forced multiple saves in the dying minutes. And still the USA won 2–0.
This was not a comfortable victory. It was a gritty, chaotic, deeply dramatic win at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium — powered by Folarin Balogun’s first-half goal, Malik Tillman’s stunning free-kick, and Matt Freese’s superhuman second-half display. The United States go through to face Belgium in the Round of 16.
The USA are through to the Round of 16. Stream every FIFA World Cup 2026™ knockout match live on ZEE 5 — get the ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription Quarterly Plan at ₹799 and don’t miss a moment.
First Half: Balogun’s Persistence Pays Off
Both sides wasted no time in testing the other. Christian Pulisic had the first real look inside the opening five minutes, his right-footed drive from 23 yards blocked by the Bosnian defence. Bosnia responded through a clever goal-kick routine — Ermedin Demirović latched on and forced a sharp save from Matt Freese in the 10th minute, followed a minute later by a curling corner delivery from Kerim Alajbegović that narrowly missed.
Balogun then had a goal ruled out in the 15th minute for offside in the build-up. He kept going.
The breakthrough, when it came, was almost chaotic. Captain Tim Ream intercepted a Bosnian goal-kick at midfield and played it to Malik Tillman. Tillman’s through-ball took a fortunate double deflection, leaving Balogun to turn and slide a left-footed finish right through Nikola Vasilj’s legs. 1–0, right before the whistle. Deep into stoppage time, Balogun crashed a close-range strike against the crossbar. The first half ended with the USA ahead—and the second half promised it could be 2–0 very quickly.
64′ — Balogun’s Red Card Changes Everything
It did not go to plan. The match turned on its head in the 64th minute. A tangle of legs between Balogun and Bosnian centre-back Tarik Muharemović left the defender clutching his leg and ankle. It was not malicious — Balogun’s studs made contact accidentally as they challenged for the ball. VAR reviewed it for several minutes. The verdict: straight red card for serious foul play.
Balogun — who had scored the opening goal, had a goal disallowed, hit the crossbar, and been the USA’s most dangerous attacker for 64 minutes — walked off the pitch. USA down to ten men, still 26 minutes to play.
Ten Men, Three Freese Saves, and the Goal That Sealed It
Bosnia smelled it. They came forward instantly. Demirović drove low from 16 yards — Freese saved it. Substitute Esmir Bajraktarević curled one from 21 yards — Freese saved that too. The USA’s goalkeeper was becoming the story.
Remarkably, it was the ten-man USA who scored next. In the 80th minute, Pulisic found the net after a flowing move involving McKennie and Tillman — only for offside to wipe it out again. It was the kind of decision that can deflate a team.
Tillman ignored it. Two minutes later, the USA won a free-kick just outside the Bosnian penalty area. Tillman stepped up, shaped his body, and curled a right-footed strike over the wall with precision and pace. Vasilj got a hand to it. The ball had too much on it. Top-left corner. 2–0. With ten men. The San Francisco Bay Area Stadium went wild.
Watch USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Match Highlight Free Only On ZEE5.
Stoppage Time: Freese Holds the Line
Bosnia waswere not done. In the 90+8th minute, Anes Mašić drove low from the left and forced Freese into a scrambling save. A minute later, Mašić fired again toward the far post — it fizzed inches wide. The final whistle went immediately after. USA 2–0. Clean sheet. Ten men. Through.
The USA‘s Round of 16 opponent is Belgium — a side that pulled off its own dramatic comeback against Senegal earlier. Belgium won 3–2 after extra time, including a controversial penalty in the dying moments.
USA vs Belgium in the Round of 16 — live on ZEE 5, India’s official home of FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.
