The United States reached the World Cup last 32 with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, yet debate centred on Folarin Balogun’s dismissal. Balogun scored just before half-time at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, then received a red card on 64 minutes. Mauricio Pochettino strongly disagreed with the decision, while the United States held firm with ten players.

Balogun’s challenge came as Tarik Muharemovic shielded the ball, with contact made down the back of the Bosnia defender’s leg. Referee Raphael Claus initially showed a yellow card, then upgraded it to red after a pitchside monitor review. The forward therefore joined Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Garrincha as World Cup knockout scorers who were later sent off.

Despite losing Balogun, the United States doubled the lead eight minutes from time through Malik Tillman. Tillman’s free-kick beat goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj and confirmed a clean sheet, matching the defensive control seen against Mexico in 2002. That victory over Mexico remains the only previous World Cup knockout match where the United States both led and did not concede.

Pochettino devoted most of the post-match discussion to the dismissal rather than the scoreline or qualification. The United States can challenge the red card before the last 16 fixture against Belgium on July 6. Balogun’s availability for that tie depends on any appeal, after becoming the fourth player sent off while scoring in a World Cup knockout match.

For me, it is never a red card. It was never [his]intention to step on the player. It was a normal action in football, that you are fighting for the ball, and your feet land, no? Yeah, maybe it was a little bit tough, the scene, to watch. But it was never intentional.

Pochettino stressed that Balogun felt mixed emotions in the dressing room, torn between frustration and team pride. He [Balogun] is very disappointed, because I think it was an action that was unintentional. But also he’s happy because we qualified, added Pochettino. We cannot do anything to change that feeling. That is over. That is football. He needs to understand that this type of situation happens. For sure, he is going to help us to perform. I hope that we can go to the next round and [he will]be available again.

The United States have now progressed from a World Cup knockout round for only the second time. The last such success came with a 2-0 win against Mexico in 2002. On both occasions the team scored twice and kept a clean sheet. This latest achievement came against Bosnia-Herzegovina, who again struggled after falling behind in the tournament.

Bosnia-Herzegovina have now lost all four World Cup matches in which the team trailed at any stage. Sergej Barbarez’s side contained a deliberate mix of younger players and senior figures. The squad still achieved a landmark by reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time, in only Bosnia-Herzegovina’s second appearance after a group-stage exit in 2014.

Barbarez’s team endured a varied group campaign before facing the United States in the last 32. Bosnia-Herzegovina opened with a draw against co-hosts Canada, then suffered a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland. A crucial win over Qatar followed, securing progress as one of the best third-placed teams. That success ended a seven-match winless run in all competitions and marked Bosnia-Herzegovina’s second-ever World Cup victory.

The statistical significance of Balogun’s dismissal was highlighted soon after full-time. Data analysts noted that the forward became only the fourth player to both score and be sent off in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. The previous occasions involved legendary figures Zidane, Ronaldinho and Garrincha, underlining how rare such an outcome remains.