Much praise after World Cup match: “An unsung hero. If only he could return to PSV.”

The United States national team with PSV players Ricardo Pepi and Sergino Dest on Thursday night secured a place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Team USA won in San Francisco after ninety minutes, 2-0 against Bosnia-Herzegovina of Esmir Bajraktarevic.

In the first half, the team of head coach Mauricio Pochettino made a good impression, but real big chances were lacking. After just over half an hour, striker Folarin Balogun seemed to put it 1-0, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

In the end, it was the same Balogun who managed to score for the Americans right before halftime to make it 1-0 after a pass from former PSV player Malik Tillman went off a Bosnian leg and found the striker, allowing the score to go up on the board. In the 64th minute, the Americans took a hard blow when Balogun received a debatable red card following an intervention by VAR.

Nevertheless, Team USA held firm and in the 82nd minute Tillman scored from a free kick for the 2-0 and the final blow for the Bosnians. After the match, the former PSV player was also cheered in the American media.

''With ten men in the final half hour, the United States held their ground and secured a liberating victory. There is no doubt about it: Tillman's goal sealed the United States' place in the round of 16. Without that goal, and given the developments in the match (the red card for Balogun, red.), who knows how it would have ended,'' writes The Athletic.

According to The New York Post, the midfielder was the man of the match. "All through the World Cup run he has been an unsung hero and he has now guided the USA to the round of 16. This American team is not sitting back and waiting for the match to come to them. The Americans probe, search for the right opportunities, and then strike," the newspaper reported.

CBS Sports also praises the way of playing when the Americans came with ten men. ''The American team stuck to its principles and remained true to the style of play that characterized their World Cup run. They played like big names. They have decided that the best defense is an attack that is as competent as possible,'' the sports broadcaster assesses.

Sports Illustrated points to Ricardo Pepi for the clash with Belgium in the round of 16. ''Nobody believes more in the US than the team itself, and the team proved that it also wants to win in the most difficult moments. The team will have it tough without its striker, but it hopes that Ricardo Pepi will play an important role in his position,'' the outlet said.