USMNT player ratings: Bloodied star earns perfect 10 as World Cup hosts survive horror VAR call

The USMNT booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup with a dramatic 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Folarin Balogun scored the opening goal but was later sent off to set up a chaotic finish in San Francisco.

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With 10 men on the field, and thousands in the stands cheering them on, the US rallied in the absence of their striker, and Malik Tillman’s freekick secured their first knockout win since way back in 2002.

Bosnia offered a stern test, and frustrated Mauricio Pochettino‘s side for much of the first half, before Balogun capitalized on a defensive deflection to fire home the first goal.

The US appeared in cruise control heading into the final 30 minutes, before a 64th minute VAR called changed it all.

Balogun caught Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic on the back of the ankle as he challenged for the ball, and while referee Raphael Claus didn’t initally give a free-kick, play stopped with both men down.

The official was sent to the pitchside monitor shown the incident in slow-motion, and a red card was awarded.

Balogun was stunned by the decision, and appeared upset as he made his way off the field.

The red threatened to derail US World Cup dreams, but Pochettino’s team appear to be built different.

Despite plenty of pressure from Bosnia, the tournament co-hosts were able to hold on.

Tillman’s late freekick put the game beyond any doubt, made sure it was the Americans celebrating at full-time.

With the job done on a dramatic night in San Francisco, and a clash with Belgium waiting in the last 16, here’s how talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs rated the US players:

Jacobs exclusively told talkSPORT at full-time: “Malik Tillman being arguably the USMNT’s most important player, leading by example.

“Excellent partner for Tyler Adams. Brilliant free kick which he actually took with a bloodied foot.

“In the mixed zone we saw that his sock was bloodied and it was his right foot as well and somehow he continued and scored a really important goal at a stage in the game where Bosnia could have obviously got back into it.

“There’s real sympathy and sadness for Flo Balogun. Very harsh red card, especially when you consider other similar incidents including Lionel Messi against Algeria.”

“FIFA regulations say that there is no appeal process. Some sources say that there is a creative route through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). But basically, the FIFA regulations don’t allow for an appeal so he is expected to miss the Belgium game.”

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Mauricio Pochettino reacts to big World Cup win

Speaking post-game, head coach Pochettino declared he was ‘proud’ of how his team performed against tough opposition.

“The players deserve everything, and the way that we compete… they are a very good team, a very difficult team,” he said.

“There’s a lot to be proud, no?

“So proud, so proud of all my players, all the staff, and then these fans, they are amazing today again.

“It’s amazing to live that experience.”

The US will face Belgium in Seattle on Monday, July 6, with hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

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