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The U.S. men's national team is through to the World Cup last sixteen after a gritty two-to-one win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Mauricio Pochettino's side showed real tactical flexibility to get it done. The formula is working, and a genuine World Cup run is no longer a conversation — it's a legitimate expectation.
The shadow over that result, though, is Folarin Balogun. The forward was shown a straight red card in the sixty-fourth minute following a VAR review, and the appeal has been denied — he will not play against Belgium in the round of thirty-two. That is a significant blow to American attacking depth at exactly the wrong moment in this tournament.
Meanwhile in the knockout bracket on Thursday, Spain and Portugal are both in action, and the stakes could not be higher. Spain hasn't won a World Cup knockout match in sixteen years, and they're massive favorites against Austria. Then Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal against Croatia in what promises to be the day's marquee matchup.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
