Audio By Carbonatix
Folarin Balogun scored and was later sent off as the United States advanced past a lacklustre Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara to reach the last 16 of the World Cup.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino's side produced a display brimming with energy and creativity and more than merited their victory, which was sealed when Malik Tillman's late free-kick doubled their lead.
However, it took another moment from Balogun to set them on their way against a pragmatic opponent, who, until the 24-year-old was dismissed just after the hour mark, exhibited little attacking intent.
Having reacted quickest to steer Tillman's deflected pass past Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, the Monaco forward's evening was abruptly cut short when he became entangled with Tarik Muharemovic and his studs raked down the defender's calf towards his ankle.
That moment briefly threatened to spoil the mood for the majority of a partisan home crowd inside the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, but Tillman's curling effort all but ended Bosnia's hopes of a recovery.
The United States will now face Belgium in Seattle on Monday, 6 July (01:00 BST on Tuesday) for a place in the quarter-finals.
Analysis: Balogun dismissal curbs US celebrations
It proved to be an evening of mixed fortunes for Balogun and his United States team-mates.
On one hand, they were able to celebrate a job well done as they recorded their first win over a European side in 11 matches.
But on the other hand, the big question now looms: just how Pochettino and his squad will negotiate a tough assignment against Belgium without arguably their player of the tournament so far.
Balogun, 24, became the first player to score and be shown a red card in a World Cup knockout game since France's Zinedine Zidane against Italy in the 2006 final.
And with three goals in three games, the former Arsenal and England Under-21 striker, like the Frenchman, has almost become a talismanic figure for his country.
That was evidenced against Bosnia by the huge wave of energy in the stands every time he received the ball.
The raucous crowd were up when his appeals for a penalty were rejected and were then brought to life in the 32nd minute when Balogun dispatched a sharp finish.
However, while his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag, he did not have long to wait before opening the scoring.
The co-hosts' other main attacking star, Christian Pulisic, thought he had added a second in the 78th minute, but he too was ruled offside after prodding home.
And it was left to Tillman to finally secure the US's first World Cup knockout win since 2002.
Latest Stories
-
Heaps of refuse, choked drains linger in parts of Accra nearly 2 weeks after nationwide clean-up
31 seconds -
Ofori-Atta case exposes deep split between US immigration rulings and Ghanaian prosecution
11 minutes -
Fisheries Ministry details reforms, marine protection and aquaculture plans for 2026
16 minutes -
US donates military equipment to Ghana Armed Forces to boost defence capabilities
22 minutes -
Accra Reset aims to bridge gap between health commitments and service delivery – Nana Oye Bampoe Addo
23 minutes -
Bagbin hails NIB turnaround as book on bank’s recovery is launched
25 minutes -
Ghana Navy participates in African Maritime Forces Summit in Morocco
32 minutes -
GNFS intensifies fire safety education in Eastern Region communities
34 minutes -
BoG, GoldBod finalising new financing model to reduce pressure on central bank balance sheet
37 minutes -
Michelin-starred restaurateur faces jail for using ants as dessert garnish
42 minutes -
The evidence that jailed Wontumi was built by NPP – Mustapha Gbande
47 minutes -
Africa can no longer rely on foreign aid for healthcare – Deputy Health Minister
57 minutes -
COCOBOD’s shift to local market financing is the right move – BoG
1 hour -
Minority labels economy a ‘galamsey economy’, questions government’s growth claims ahead of budget review
1 hour -
Joy FM’s Showbiz Roundtable to assess Mahama administration’s performance in tourism, culture and creative arts
1 hour