Ten-man USA make history: hosts beat Bosnia to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2002

The USA reached the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia, their first World Cup knockout victory since 2002. Folarin Balogun scored then was sent off, but ten-man USA held on and Malik Tillman sealed it with a stunning free kick. Mauricio Pochettino set a USMNT record; the hosts face Belgium next, without the suspended Balogun.

The hosts are marching. The United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in Santa Clara to reach the Round of 16, and they did it the hard way, seeing out the last half-hour with ten men. It is only the second time in the modern era, and the first since 2002, that the USMNT has won a World Cup knockout tie, a landmark result for a team and a country dreaming big on home soil.

Folarin Balogun had a night of two halves in every sense. On the stroke of half-time he gave the USA the lead, drilling a low left-footed finish past Nikola Vasilj after sustained American pressure. But on sixty-four minutes his tournament took a turn, a VAR review upgrading a hard challenge on Tarik Muharemović to a straight red card. From hero to a man watching from the tunnel.

Down to ten, the USA might have wilted. Instead they dug in, Matt Freese keeping Edin Džeko and Bosnia's attackers at bay for a second clean sheet of the tournament. And with eight minutes left, Malik Tillman settled it in style, curling a spectacular direct free kick up and over the wall and into the net. Two-nil, ten men, game over.

It was a statement win for Mauricio Pochettino, whose third victory of the tournament makes him the most successful manager in USMNT World Cup history. The Argentine has this team believing, and a home World Cup is beginning to feel like a stage they intend to own.

Bosnia, for whom this was a first World Cup in a decade, will feel they had chances, particularly once they had the extra man, but they could not test the resolute Americans. Sergej Barbarez's side go home having enjoyed the ride.

The USA now face a Round of 16 blockbuster with Belgium, the Red Devils who have just survived their own epic against Senegal. There is a catch: Balogun is suspended for that game, a significant blow for a side that leans on his finishing. Pochettino has a puzzle to solve.

For Kenya, this was a fascinating watch even without a direct rooting interest. Neutrals appreciate a gutsy ten-man defensive effort and a free kick like Tillman's, and there is quiet respect for the Pochettino project turning the host nation into a genuine force. Wenyeji wanazidi kupanda, hii USA ya Pochettino ni kitu: the hosts keep rising, and this Pochettino USA is the real deal. As the knockouts thunder on, the American dream is alive. Our CONCACAF verdict backed the region's hosts, and they are delivering, while our Europe verdict will note Bosnia's brief return.