Balogun scores and sees red as US beat Bosnia 2-0

SANTA CLARA: Folarin Balogun scored and was sent off as the United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup on Wednesday.
The co-hosts’ first World Cup knockout victory in nearly a quarter-century — and only their second ever — sets up a clash with Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
Balogun’s goal on the stroke of half-time had sent the California crowd into delirium, with some 30 million Americans expected to be watching the blockbuster clash across the nation.
But the striker saw red as VAR intervened following a nasty clash with Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic. But even with the US forced into a 10-man rearguard action, Malik Tillman curled in a free kick to secure the win.
US supporters had flocked into the San Francisco Bay Area stadium in festive mood, their exuberant confidence summed up by the traditional pre-match fighter jet flyover in the bright California skies.
Bosnia’s tactics were made clear from the kickoff — an immediate long ball — while the US defense quickly camped out on the halfway line, always pushing forward.
Still, Bosnia had the best early chances.

Forty-year-old captain Edin Dzeko held up a launched pass from his goalkeeper and laid it off for Ermedin Demirovic, who shot right at Matt Freese.
The US ‘keeper made another good save moments later from a Kerim Alajbegovic corner, which threatened to swing straight into his net.
But the US pressure began to tell. Balogun had a decent penalty shout for a clumsy Amar Dedic tackle waved away.

Soon after the American striker had the ball in the net, but was offside from Weston McKennie’s smart pass.
Those near misses enlivened an increasingly anxious crowd. But their nerves were soon reduced, as Balogun scored in the 45th