United States 2-1 Bosnia: Balogun scores and sees red as USMNT reach last 16 of the World Cup | OneFootball

James Bools, World Cup correspondent

The United States reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the second time on home soil with a comfortable 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Goals from Folarin Balogun, who was later controversially sent off after endangering an opponent attempted to shield the ball, and Malik Tillman were enough to seal a round of 16 clash against Belgium for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

The last time reached this stage on their own turf was in 1994, when they were knocked out at the same stage courtesy of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil, with tonight’s victory a first against a UEFA-affiliated nation since 2002.

As it happened

The USA started on the front foot and Christian Pulisic had the first half chance of the game, a blocked effort that was deflected out for a corner.

But it was Bosnia who had the better of the early chances, as Edin Dzeko’s strike was parried away by Matt Freese before the US shot stopper had to be alert to deal with the resulting corner.

Folarin Balogun had the Americans’ first genuine opportunity shortly after, but could only scuff the ball wide after a decent delivery from the right by Antonee Robinson.

And Pochettino’s side continued to exert their early dominance, as Nikola Vasilj was called into action to deal with a dangerous Weston McKennie cross into the area followed by a teasing corner delivery.

The Stars and Stripes thought they had scored through Balogun after sloppy passing from the Bosnian defence, only for the ex-Arsenal man to be denied a smart finish by the offside flag.

McKennie and Pulisic linked up well for the USA five minutes before half time, but in what had become the game’s recurring theme Pulisic’s final ball lacked end product.

Eventually though the Yanks finally made their pressure count on the stroke of half time. McKennie’s through ball deflected off two Bosnian defenders to find Balogun, who duly slotted home a composed finish inside the box.

Balogun could’ve made matters worse for Bosnia with his and the US’s second immediately after that goal, had the forward’s scuffed close-range effort not hit the bar.

The Yanks continued in the same vein after the restart, and within three minutes Pulisic forced a corner after his cross was almost headed in by a Bosnia defender.

Things took a turn for the USA, however, after Sergej Barbarez’s outfit lost all-time record scorer Edin Dzeko to injury.

Goalscorer Balogun accidentally planted his foot on Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle when trying to shield the ball from the centre back, and was promptly shown a straight red following a VAR review.

And the Bosnians almost made the man advantage count immediately, only for Freese to easily deal with Ermedin Demirovic’s tame half volley.

Just when it looked like the Balkan nation might be building some momentum the Americans began to click into gear, with Malik Tillman lashing home a ferocious free kick after Pulisic had a bundled effort ruled out for offside.

Bosnia improved after that American second, and had multiple good chances to halve the deficit. But the USA held on to secure what was, in the end, an easy win.

Analysis: Tame United States through but must improve end product

The USA may have triumphed in this morning’s clash, but if they are to progress any further then their end product will need some work.

Pochettino’s players did well to stretch a resolute Bosnian back five, with Robinson in particular overlapping well with McKennie and Pulisic as the Stars and Stripes repeatedly looked deadly out wide.

But save for the goals they created few clear chances, with Pulisic’s deliveries in particular repeatedly failing to find their targets.

The Americans may have done enough against an ageing, substandard Bosnia side, but they will need to significantly step up their game when they take on Belgium in the last 16 – a task made harder with top scorer Balogun’s suspension.

The co-hosts have done well to make it this far, but an encounter with a Rudi Garcia side riding high and full of belief following their 3-2 comeback win against Senegal may prove a step too far on the basis of today’s showing.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.

USA – Bosnia & Herzegovina Live Score