The United States men's national Soccer team is moving on to the Round of 16 after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California.
According to Fox News, the victory marks just the second time the U.S. has won a knockout-stage match at a men's World Cup. The program's only previous knockout victory came in 2002 with a 2-0 win over Mexico.
The Americans will now travel to Seattle to face Belgium, which erased a two-goal deficit against Senegal before winning in extra time to secure its place in the next round.
Playing on home soil in the expanded tournament, the United States entered the Round of 32 as the clear favorite. The team controlled much of the match, though it had to overcome a major setback in the second half.
Bosnia and Herzegovina created early pressure with a pair of corner kicks, forcing goalkeeper Matt Freese to make one of his toughest saves of the tournament to keep the match scoreless.
The U.S. soon settled into possession and began creating scoring chances. Folarin Balogun appeared to open the scoring in the 29th minute, but video review confirmed he was offside, wiping the goal off the board.
Balogun found the breakthrough just before halftime. After staying onside, he turned inside the penalty area and fired a left-footed shot through goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj's legs to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. The striker celebrated by recreating one of LeBron James' signature celebrations as the crowd erupted.
The match shifted in the 64th minute when video review determined Balogun had stepped on a defender's ankle. The referee issued a red card, leaving the United States to finish the match with 10 players. Balogun will also miss the Round of 16 because of the suspension.
Despite being a man down, the U.S. remained dangerous. Christian Pulisic had a goal ruled out for offside before the Americans earned a free kick just outside the penalty area after a foul on Sergiño Dest.
Malik Tillman delivered the decisive moment in the 80th minute, curling a free kick over the wall and beyond Vasilj to double the lead.
Bosnia and Herzegovina pushed forward in the closing minutes but could not find a breakthrough. The United States held firm to secure a place in the Round of 16, where Belgium awaits with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.