USMNT into World Cup last 16 after beating Bosnia; Controversial red card clouds Balogun’s heroics
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The U.S. men’s national soccer team advanced to the World Cup round of 16 by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, despite losing star striker Folarin Balogun to a red card in the second half.
- Balogun scored the opening goal and was a key player before being sent off for a controversial foul, forcing the U.S. to play with 10 men for the final 30 minutes.
- Malik Tillman secured the victory with a decisive free kick in the 82nd minute, marking the U.S.’s first men’s World Cup knockout win since 2002 and snapping a long losing streak against European teams.
- The U.S. will face Belgium in the round of 16 on July 6, with Balogun suspended, presenting a challenging matchup given Belgium’s recent strong performances and historical advantage over the U.S.
- Despite the difficulty, the U.S. team’s speed, athleticism, and resilience offer hope for a second consecutive knockout win, a feat not yet achieved by the men’s national team in World Cup history.
