The United States are through to the knockout rounds of their home World Cup, seeing off Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in a match they finished a man down.
Balogun's mixed night
Folarin Balogun put the hosts ahead just before halftime, finishing to make it 1-0, ESPN reported. But the striker's evening turned in the 64th minute, when he was shown a red card following a review for a challenge on a Bosnia defender, reducing the United States to 10 men for the closing half-hour.
Rather than retreat, the Americans saw the game out and added a second: Malik Tillman struck from a free kick late on to make it 2-0 and settle the tie, as CNN reported. To score and be sent off in the same knockout match is a rare double, and it left Balogun both the hero and, briefly, the villain of the night.
A knockout barrier cleared
The win carries weight for a US team playing under intense scrutiny at a tournament on home soil. It is the United States' first World Cup knockout victory since 2002, when they reached the quarterfinals — ending a run of first-round exits from the knockout stage in the tournaments since.
For a squad that has faced questions about whether it could deliver on the big stage, advancing in front of home crowds is a significant step, even if the manner of it — clinging on with 10 men — was more nervy than commanding.
Belgium next
The reward is a demanding one. The United States advance to the round of 16, where they will face Belgium — a side that themselves came from 2-0 down to beat Senegal in extra time. Balogun, having been sent off, will be suspended for that match, a notable loss given his goals at the tournament.
As co-hosts, the Americans will again have the backing of a home crowd. Whether that, and a squad missing its in-form striker, is enough against a talented Belgium team will be the next test of a World Cup run that has already outlasted many expectations.
