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The red card shown to Folarin Balogun could have derailed the United States Men's National Team’s (USMNT) World Cup campaign, but the Americans’ determination ensured their dream stayed alive.

SANTA CLARA, California – It had been 24 years since the USMNT last secured a victory in a World Cup knockout match. Mauricio Pochettino and his players were determined not to let that drought extend to 28 years.

The controversial dismissal of Balogun, after he unintentionally stepped on the heel of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic, threatened to end their run prematurely.

“Never was a red card,” Pochettino insisted during his post-match press conference. “It was never his intention to step on the player.”

Christian Pulisic later revealed how the team rallied around Balogun in the dressing room.

“Looking back, it seems so harsh for us to get that for him,” Pulisic said. “I told him he’s done so much for us, and we’ve got his back. I know it’s a dangerous act in a way, but he was just putting his foot down, not high on the leg. It’s just unlucky.”

Such incidents have demoralized the Americans in the past, but under Pochettino, this team has shown resilience throughout the tournament.

“The players managed the situation very well,” Pochettino said. “We controlled the emotional side of the match, which was crucial. Credit to the players for handling such an emotional game. The way they managed the pressure was fantastic. It shows we are mature enough to keep competing.”

He will be especially grateful to Malik Tillman. Just as Bosnia and Herzegovina began to take control with their numerical advantage, the 24-year-old struck a spectacular free kick that will be remembered for years. However, he wasn’t the only one to step up for the Argentine manager.

The USMNT now prepare to meet Belgium in the Round of 16, with a chance to reach their first quarterfinal since 2002. The Red Devils will be favourites, but this American side has shown before that odds mean little. Pochettino’s team could be on the verge of something special.

“It’s about winning, about keeping that momentum,” Pochettino said.

GOAL reviews the winners and losers from the clash at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

WINNER: Folarin Balogun

For much of the opening 40 minutes, Balogun seemed to be struggling for fortune. The U.S. looked to involve him constantly in the first half, though their final execution lacked sharpness.

In the 14th minute, the Monaco striker received a superb through ball from Pulisic, cutting in from the left, but his side-footed finish was off target. Later, in the 32nd minute, he controlled beautifully, beat a defender, and found the net—only for the flag to go up for offside.

Finally, in the 45th minute, Balogun got his reward. Tyler Adams produced a clever backheel to Tillman, who sent in a dangerous pass. A Bosnian defender initially blocked it, but Balogun battled for the loose ball and smashed home the rebound.

It capped a breakout 2026 for Balogun, who ended his club season strongly and now boasts three goals at the World Cup. Everything looked bright for the 24-year-old until the 64th minute.

LOSER: Folarin Balogun

After his first-half goal, Balogun received praise from NBA legend LeBron James. When he was sent off, an array of celebrities and athletes—including NFL star Patrick Mahomes and NBA Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki—voiced their support, showcasing how baffling referee Raphael Claus’ decision was.

Claus reviewed the incident multiple times before ultimately deciding on a red card.

In the 64th minute, Balogun and Muharemovic contested a high ball. As Balogun descended, he accidentally landed on the defender’s heel. There was no sign of intent, yet Claus issued a red card, cutting short Balogun’s impressive night and leaving the USMNT to play with ten men. This made Balogun the first player since Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final to both score and be sent off in a knockout match.

“Pretty cool record, huh,” USMNT defender Chris Richards joked. “We told him we’ve got his back again. We’re a team of 26, not just one. If it’s Pepi or Haji next, we know they’ll step up and do the job.”

The consequences are significant. Balogun will miss the next match against Belgium due to an automatic one-game suspension, which could be extended depending on FIFA’s disciplinary review. Pochettino was astonished to learn that under FIFA regulations, the U.S. cannot appeal the ban, and the governing body itself cannot overturn it.

FIFA, which previously overlooked a similar incident involving Argentina’s Lionel Messi, may need to revisit this rule in future tournaments.

“At this stage of the competition, where every player is crucial, I think it’s a bit bogus,” said Weston McKennie.

WINNER: Malik Tillman

What a goal! During the group stage, Tillman had done everything except score, often serving as the team’s unsung hero. On Wednesday, he delivered perhaps the performance of his career, netting a stunning free kick that will live long in American football memory. He also played a vital role in Balogun’s opener earlier in the match.

The past year has been turbulent for Tillman. After moving to Bayer Leverkusen to replace German international Florian Wirtz as the No.10, he struggled for minutes and form. Under Pochettino’s guidance, however, he’s flourished in a deeper No.8 role for the national side.

“Malik is an exceptional player, full of talent,” Pochettino said. “We always knew he had the ability to produce moments like this. I’m so happy for him. It’s been a tough club season, but now he’s enjoying his football, and the fans are enjoying it too.”

Tillman’s mix of athleticism and technical skill allows him to win possession and drive forward quickly. His composed free kick helped steady the nerves after Balogun’s dismissal.

In the past, his quiet personality was sometimes mistaken for a lack of passion, but on this occasion, his composure proved invaluable for both Pochettino and the team.

LOSER: Sergej Barbarez

To be fair, Bosnia and Herzegovina have reasons to be proud. Reaching the Round of 32 in only their second World Cup appearance—after debuting in 2014—is a commendable achievement.

Despite the loss, local media largely praised head coach Sergej Barbarez, who expressed optimism about the future. “This is only the beginning for us,” he said afterwards.

However, his tactical choices will likely be questioned. He opted to bench American-born Esmir Bajraktarević, who impressed against Qatar, favouring a more defensive setup. The decision appeared to misfire as Bosnia managed only one first-half shot and 38 percent possession.

By the time Barbarez introduced his substitutes, his team were already trailing 1-0. Although the Americans were favourites, with experienced players like Edin Dzeko in attack, Bosnia might feel this was a missed opportunity.

WINNER: Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino arrived at the USMNT with a reputation for rebuilding clubs like Southampton and Tottenham, and for nurturing young talent during his tenures at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. Despite his global pedigree, this was his first national team job.

Now, having secured the most World Cup wins by a U.S. coach, Pochettino reflected on the achievement, acknowledging that while club football carries prestige, leading a national team offers a unique sense of pride.

“Every competition is different. The World Cup is unique because you represent the culture of your people,” he said. “On the pitch, you show who you are as a country. It’s representing your nation, fighting for your flag. It’s much bigger than club football.”

He noted similarities between coaching a major club and managing a national team, recalling his days as a player for Argentina. “I lived that experience as a player in Argentina, but now, as a coach, it’s an amazing feeling,” he added, reaffirming his “200 percent Argentino” identity.

Since taking charge 22 months ago, Pochettino has preached resilience and teamwork over individual stardom. Lessons from tournaments like last year’s Gold Cup, when several key players were missing, have instilled confidence within the squad.

Considerable resources were invested to bring him to the U.S., and in his first press conference, he promised a proactive, possession-based side. With the exception of a rotated lineup against Turkiye, the team has stayed true to that vision.

LOSER: Nikola Vasilj

To his credit, Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj showed courage by continuing after taking a boot to the face from Antonee Robinson during the build-up to the USMNT’s opener. He passed concussion checks and played the full 90 minutes.

Whether the earlier collision affected his play is unclear, but his performance was far from ideal. Vasilj could—and perhaps should—have stopped both of the Americans’ goals and ended the match without a single save. He looked unsteady throughout and might have conceded another if Balogun’s earlier strike hadn’t been ruled offside.

Given the stakes of the match, it’s a night the 30-year-old will want to move past quickly.