US keep World Cup dream alive with gutsy win over Bosnia
A 10-man United States team ended a 24-year wait for a knockout-stage win with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia, setting up a last-16 clash with Belgium.
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
SANTA CLARA, California: Ten-man United States roared into the last 16at the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia on Wednesday (Jul 1), ending a 24-year wait for a knockout-stage win to keep alive hopes of an American dream run in soccer's global showpiece.
In a dramatic high-tempo game in the San Francisco Bay Area, Folarin Balogun scored near halftime, then was sent off after the break, with Malik Tillman finding the net with a free kick late on to spark euphoria in a partisan arena of red, white and blue.
It was a physical encounter where luck was not always on the side of the hosts, with Balogun and Christian Pulisic having goals ruled out. Balogun was stunned after being dismissed for a serious foul on Tarik Muharemovic that seemed to be accidental.
Bosnia had barely threatened and looked content defending compactly and hoofing long balls upfield. But they switched up gears with the numerical advantage to press for an equaliser before Tillman came to the rescue eight minutes from time.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
"DIG IN DEEP"
Victory brought an end to a US run of 10 consecutive defeats by European opposition, and set up a last-16 tie in Seattle with Belgium, who had earlier rallied from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time.
"I felt we put on such a good performance and didn't deserve the red card," said Pulisic. "But for us to dig in deep like that and just to get another goal and to defend the way we did, it took a real team effort, but we're proud of that."
In a match that got underway with a flyover by fighter jets, the Americans started with attacking verve and silky one-touch moves, spurred on by the reverberating roars of U-S-A by a crowd in the Golden State that came with high expectations.
The US delivered, showing speed, intensity and determination, with Balogun threatening and Pulisic back in the team, intoxicating the crowd with a few blazing runs for goal.
Tillman said his free kick had been well practised.
"You never know when it's going to happen, but luckily today it happened. I was ready for it. I felt confident," he said.
Newsletter
Recommended Read
Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read
A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app