The home team enjoyed more ball possession in the first half, but Sergej Barbarez's players matched the favored opponent with disciplined and tactically responsible play. The Dragons created the first real chance of the match in the 10'. Following a long ball from our own half, Edin Džeko headed it down for Ermedin Demirović, whose powerful shot was saved by goalkeeper Matt Freese. Just a minute later, Kerim Alajbegović tried to surprise the American goalkeeper directly from a corner, but Freese reacted at the last moment and tipped the ball away. The United States took the lead in the 45'. Malik Tillman found Folarin Balogun with a precise pass between our defenders, and the home team's forward beat Nikola Vasilj with a composed finish from around 10 meters. In the eighth minute of first-half stoppage time, the United States came close to doubling its lead. Sergiño Dest headed the ball down for Balogun, whose effort struck the crossbar.

The Dragons came out more aggressively at the start of the second half, while the home team was reduced to 10 men in the 64'. Balogun was shown a straight red card after fouling Tarik Muharemović. Bosnia and Herzegovina tried to capitalize on the player advantage just two minutes later. After a cross from Ermin Mahmić, Ermedin Demirović fired from 16 meters, but Matt Freese was once again up to the task. Shortly afterward, Esmir Bajraktarević also had an attempt, but his shot didn't seriously threaten the home side's goal. The final 2:0 scoreline was set in the 82'. Malik Tillman converted a free kick from around 18 meters with a precise shot over the wall that beat Nikola Vasilj. In the 89', Amar Memić had an attempt, but US defense cleared it off the goal line. In the second minute of stoppage time, Kerim Alajbegović tried his luck from distance in his trademark style, but the ball went just wide of the left post. Right before the final whistle, Ermin Mahmić made two excellent shots, but on both occasions the ball missed the target by just a few centimeters.

Despite the defeat, the Dragons achieved a historic result at this tournament by reaching the World Cup knockout stage, marking Bosnia and Herzegovina's greatest achievement at FIFA World Cups.