USMNT beats Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1st World Cup knockout win since '02 - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — First, the good news: The United States men's national team beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in the World Cup round of 32 Wednesday night.

Now, the problematic: If the Americans are going to continue advancing, they will have to do it without their top goal scorer.

Folarin Balogun scored what proved to be the decisive goal for the U.S. just before halftime — his third of the tournament — but was then sent off just after the hour mark in a controversial decision that will see him suspended for the round-of-16 match against Belgium.

— VAR review: Misapplied protocols leave Balogun wrongly red-carded
— USMNT player ratings: Tillman shines as U.S. advances

«It wasn't a perfect day by any means,» defender Chris Richard said. «But it was our day.»

The red card came after Balogun collided with Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic just inside the U.S. attacking third. Both players were on the ground initially, but then the referee, Raphael Claus of Brazil, was called to the monitor by the video assistant referee.

After watching the slow-motion footage, Claus determined that Balogun had raked his cleats down Muharemovic's leg and onto his foot and ankle, sending him off for serious foul play. Balogun looked shocked; he trudged to the sideline and was consoled by Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah.

«We had to dig deep for that one,» Pulisic said. «It didn't go exactly to plan with the red card, but that just shows what a good team we are. We said in the hydration break, you know, this is what it takes to be a really strong team. And, we were able to do it.»

Balogun is the fifth American to receive a red card at a World Cup and is the first player from any country to score and receive a red card in the same