Malik Tillman’s late free-kick sent a 10-player United States into the World Cup last 16, sealing a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina and a tie with Belgium. Folarin Balogun scored the opener but was later sent off, leaving Mauricio Pochettino’s team under pressure. Bosnia-Herzegovina pushed hard, yet the co-hosts converted both efforts on target and stayed in control.

Tillman’s decisive strike came after Stjepan Radeljic was penalised for holding Sergino Dest near the edge of the box. The midfielder bent his free-kick over the defensive wall and inside the near post, with Nikola Vasilj getting a hand to the ball. The goal gave the USA breathing space and removed any late tension inside the stadium.

The first period opened with Bosnia-Herzegovina on the front foot, creating early concerns for Matt Freese. Ermedin Demirovic shot straight at the goalkeeper, before Freese reacted again to punch Kerim Alajbegovic’s swinging corner off the goal-line. Those moments lifted Bosnia-Herzegovina, but the USA gradually settled and started to find space behind the defence.

Balogun believed he had the breakthrough after 31 minutes when Weston McKennie released the striker through. A low finish nestled in the bottom-right corner, yet the assistant’s flag ruled it offside. The forward adjusted and finally scored in the 45th minute, when Tillman’s pass deflected kindly to Balogun, who guided a composed effort under Vasilj.

The USA almost doubled the lead deep into first-half stoppage time following a set-piece. Dest headed the ball down across goal, and Balogun reacted with a flicked effort. The attempt beat Vasilj but clipped the top of the crossbar, leaving Bosnia-Herzegovina relieved to reach the interval only one goal behind after a shaky defensive spell.

The tempo dropped early in the second half before a major flashpoint in the 64th minute. Balogun challenged Tarik Muharemovic from behind and caught the defender with the studs, landing on the twisting ankle. After a VAR review, the referee produced a straight red card, turning Balogun’s evening from match-winner to serious problem for the USA.

With an extra player, Bosnia-Herzegovina pushed forward and almost fell further behind in the 78th minute. The USA put together a flowing move, and Christian Pulisic forced the ball into the net from close range. However, the assistant’s flag cut short the celebrations, as another offside decision came to the rescue of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s defence.

The co-hosts soon earned another dangerous free-kick when Dest was pulled back by Radeljic just outside the area. Tillman stood over the ball and curled a precise shot over the wall toward the near post. Vasilj reached it but could not keep it out, and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s late response faded when Ermin Mahmic dragged a stoppage-time chance wide.

World Cup knockout: USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina records and key stats

Balogun’s night carried historic weight despite the dismissal. The forward became the first player to score and then be sent off in a World Cup knockout match since Zinedine Zidane against Italy in the 2006 final. Balogun also reached three goals for the tournament, matching Landon Donovan in 2010 and trailing Bert Patenaude’s four in 1930 for the USA.

Tillman’s winner also had statistical importance for the World Cup and USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina contest. He is the second United States player on record, since 1966, to score a direct free-kick at a World Cup, following Eric Wynalda’s strike against Switzerland in 1994. The victory gave Pochettino’s side a third win at this tournament, their highest total in any single edition.

The result ended a long knockout drought for the USA at World Cup level. This was the national team’s first victory beyond the group stage since 2002, which was also a 2-0 success, against Mexico in the round of 16. Bosnia-Herzegovina left the competition after their first appearance in the knockout rounds, despite outshooting the hosts overall.

Match data underlined the different levels of attacking efficiency in this World Cup clash between USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnia-Herzegovina attempted 10 shots to the USA’s eight but generated only 0.25 expected goals, indicating limited high-quality chances against Freese. The United States, by contrast, converted both shots on target and showed clinical finishing at decisive moments.

The USA’s balanced display, highlighted by Balogun’s first-half goal and Tillman’s late free-kick, secured progress and a clash with Belgium. Bosnia-Herzegovina’s early pressure and numerical advantage after the red card could not translate into clear openings. The co-hosts advanced with strong tournament form and several notable records added to their World Cup history.