Balogun, who scored America’s first goal, was sent off for a foul, but the home team scored another point and advanced to the next round.
Published July 2, 2026
The USA 10-a-side team defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the next round of the World Cup, ending a 24-year wait for victory in the knockout stage to keep America’s hopes alive in the global spectacle.
In a dramatic, high-tempo game in the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday, Folarin Balogun scored a goal near halftime but was sent off after the break. Malik Tillman then took a spectacular free kick to double the lead with eight minutes remaining.
Goals between Balogun and Christian Pulisic were canceled out and Balogun was sent off for a serious foul on Tarik Muharemovic, which appeared to be an accident, making it a physical encounter where luck was not always on the hosts’ side.
Inspired by the resounding roar of “USA” by the partisan crowd who had come with high expectations, the Americans rushed into the match with a concentrated attack on the Bosnian region.
The Americans played with speed and intensity, with Pulisic determined to return to the team and make his mark, Balogun a constant threat and Weston McKennie and Tillman in form.
With the win, the United States ended a 10-game losing streak against European opponents and tied Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle, rallying from a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in overtime.
