The U.S. males’s nationwide workforce defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday evening of their highest-stakes 2026 World Cup match to this point, clinching a spot within the spherical of 16.
It was the U.S. males’s workforce’s first World Cup knockout win in 24 years.
The U.S. takes on Belgium on July 6.
U.S. ahead Folarin Balogun, who scored the primary purpose for the American aspect, was handed a controversial purple card within the sixty fourth minute following a conflict with an opposing participant. The purple card makes him ineligible for the subsequent match.
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) in the course of the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between america and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., close to San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun acquired a purple card on the play.
Jeff Chiu/AP Photograph/Jeff Chiu
Later, Malik Tillman adopted up Balogun’s purpose with a free kick within the 82nd minute, padding the U.S. lead.
Malik Tillman of the U.S. celebrates scoring their second purpose with teammates.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Wednesday’s win, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, got here after the workforce’s spectacular first-place file within the group stage. The USMNT completed the group stage with a 2-1 file, with wins over Paraguay and Australia earlier than a loss to Turkey, which occurred as soon as the workforce had already secured a spot within the subsequent spherical.
The matchup versus Bosnia-Herzegovina was the U.S. males’s workforce first knockout recreation following the sooner group stage.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino celebrates their second purpose, scored by Malik Tillman of the U.S.
Phil Noble/Reuters
After 48 groups descended upon Canada, Mexico and america, 32 groups remained within the knockout phases, which began earlier this week, vying to hoist the trophy on July 19.
Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson of the USA have a good time after Australia’s Cameron Burgess scores an personal purpose throughout their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match, June 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
Troy Wayrynen/Imagn Photos through Reuters
With its loss, Bosnia-Herzegovina is eradicated from the World Cup.
Earlier Wednesday, Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2, securing its spot within the subsequent spherical.
On Tuesday, Mexico defeated Ecuador to advance.
The spherical of 32 kicked off to a dramatic begin on Monday, with Brazil coming from behind to beat Japan 2-1 earlier than Paraguay eradicated Germany in penalty kicks , in one of the stunning upsets of the event to this point.
Morocco additionally topped Netherlands on Monday to clinch a spot within the subsequent spherical.
