Folarin Balogun scores but sees red as USA beat Bosnia to set up Belgium clash

Mauricio Pochettino's side dominated proceedings and took the lead through Balogun, who reacted quickest to convert Malik Tillman's deflected pass after an earlier effort had been ruled out for offside.

Balogun's night ended early just after the hour mark when he was sent off for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, with his studs catching the defender on the calf and ankle.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, the United States remained in control and wrapped up the victory late on when Tillman curled home a free-kick. Christian Pulisic also had a goal disallowed for offside.

The victory sends the United States into a last-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle on 6 July, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Balogun's dismissal also saw him become the first player since Zinedine Zidane to score and be sent off in a World Cup knockout match, after the French legend did so in the 2006 final. The 24-year-old has now scored three goals in three games at the tournament.

"For me, never is it a red card," said USA head coach Pochettino after the match.

"Watching it on TV after the match, never was there intention to step on the player. It was a normal action in football that happened by accident and it's never intentional.

"He (Balogun) is disappointed. He's sad because it wasn't his intention. But he's also happy because we qualified."

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