USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino says Folarin Balogun was sent off for a normal challenge during the co-hosts win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, adding that his players showed they are a family by seeing out their victory in the last-32 tie after the in-form strikers dismissal. Balogun put the USMNT ahead in the 45th minute in San Francisco but received his marching orders 19 minutes later after treading on Tarik Muharemovics ankle in an apparently accidental foul.In all the 50-50 decisions, none were for us, said Pochettino, whose side sealed a last-16 meeting with Belgium when Malik Tillman scored the second goal in their 2-0 win with eight minutes remaining.[Baloguns] sad because it wasnt his intention we cannot do anything to change that feeling. That is football he needs to understand that this type of situation happen.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: Why Balogun challenge was not red cardUSA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: World Cup amazingWorld Cup 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina go out with prideWorld Cup 2026: USA fixtures, scheduleWorld Cup 2026: Why Balogun challenge was not red cardMonaco forward Balogun scored his third goal at the finals but will now miss the tie against the Red Devils and could be banned for longer if his challenge is deemed worthy of a harsher punishment.If the intention is to damage the opponent, then okay, I understand, assessed Pochettino. But that never was, because it is a normal action in football that you are fighting for the ball and your feet land.That was maybe a little bit of a tough scene to watch, but it never was intentional. For me, that action was never a red card. Never.USA teammate Chris Richards said the squad told Balogun they have got his back. We are a team of 26, not just one, added the Crystal Palace defender.We are going to miss him for the next game but we know whoever is going to step up is going to do a job just as well as he did.Itll keep us stronger. One man is down, the next guy steps up. We are a team; we are more than just one player, we are more than just 11 players.USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: World Cup amazingHaving comfortably beaten Paraguay and Australia to win their group, the USA ousted the European play-off winners to answer their critics following a last-gasp defeat to eliminated Turkiye on matchday three.Every single competition is different, said Pochettino, reflecting on how his experience as a World Cup manager compares to his club career.Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, La Liga, French league or the league in Argentina the World Cup is different because you defend the culture of the people.Its an amazing feeling. I think its why people become crazy about being involved [in football] and want to participate your culture again another culture. It means a lot for the people.Former Argentina international Pochettino answered emphatically when he was asked whether he feels American.I am 200% Argentine, he responded. I feel Argentine 200%, but when you feel part of something and with the bigger things we are building here, I enjoy being part of this amazing project.Its very emotional for one year and a half we have prepared to be here, and that is why [you take charge of a] country and [work] for that federation, because we wanted to feel that emotion.I love to be involved and be part of the party, but I am 200% Argentine. Sorry. Im not going to lie.World Cup 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina go out with prideBosnia and Herzegovinas run ended after a campaign that included knocking out four-time champions Italy, drawing with co-hosts Canada and beating Qatar to reach the first knockout round.The USA have an amazing team with a lot of quality but we didnt let them have a lot today, said centre-back Nikola Katic, describing Sergej Barbarezs squad as really proud.I would dedicate this to us the players and staff because we sacrificed a lot and worked really hard for this.And if I have to give it to somebody, itll be kids in the country who see new idols for the future. They can take the same path and hopefully more kids will decide to try harder to become professionals and to represent the best clubs and the country in the future.World Cup 2026: USA fixtures, scheduleHeres when the USA face Belgium, with the winners taking on Portugal, Croatia, Spain or Austria on July 10 in the quarter-finals.Asterisk denotes match starting the previous day in that territory.DateFixtureVenueBST start timeETPTTues, July 7USA vs BelgiumSeattle01:0020:00*17:00* Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team Christian Pulisic FIFA World Cup Giovanni Reyna Mauricio Pochettino Tyler Adams United States Men's National Soccer Team World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026: Full England fixtures, results, schedule, confirmed squad, next match, kick off times Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Where to watch England and games on TV, full BBC and ITV knockout stage listings, confirmed channels, schedule, live online streams, kick off times Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 United States 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina: 10-men co-hosts progress despite Balogun red Nicholas McGee 2nd July, 2026 Balogun strikes on stroke of half-time to put USA on course for last 16 Nicholas McGee 2nd July, 2026 LIVE USA v Bosnia and Herzegovina: Commentary, updates, goals and stats Jon Fisher 1st July, 2026
