Denver Gazette reporter Vinny Benedetto takes you around the World Cup:

World Cup Insider

The United States’ path through the knockout stage is known.

Before Americans can dream of getting revenge against Belgium in the Round of 16 or an exciting matchup against a talented Senegalese squad, the United States will face a game Bosnia and Herzegovina squad Wednesday night in the Bay Area.

The Bosnians punched their ticket to North America by beating Italy on penalty kicks in a win-or-stay-home match in March. They started the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Canada, a game which they led until the 78^th minute. Their hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time were dented by a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland before a 3-1 win against Qatar saw them finish third in Group B and secure a spot in the bracket.

While 40-year-old Edin Dzeko is Bosnia’s biggest name, 21-year-old Ermin Mahmic enters Wednesday’s match having scored in consecutive matches. Nikola Vasilj was between the posts for every minute of the group stage, allowing six goals and making six saves in the last three matches.

The United States enters as a considerable favorite after a group stage that was a smashing success up until Turkey’s Kaan Ayhan scored the game-winner in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time Thursday. Mauricio Pochettino had the luxury of introducing nine new starters, including goalkeeper Matt Turner, in the meaningless match. The United States had already clinched the group, and Turkey was already eliminated after losing its first two matches. Christian Pulisic, who hadn’t played since the first half the win against Paraguay, came on as a second-half sub, while top striker Folarin Balogun, the hero against Paraguay, watched the entirety from the sideline. Speaking Sunday, Balogun expected Bosnia and Herzegovina to come out with a conservative game plan.

“Playing against a lower block is never easy,” Balogun said. “It’s going to be a challenging game. On top of that, (it’s a) World Cup knockout game. It’s not something we’re going to take lightly. We’re looking forward to just going out there. We know we’re going to need to be creative. We know we’re going to need to be intense like we have been so far. There’s no doubt we can go out there and win.”

Former Rapids defender Auston Trusty, who scored the opening goal against Turkey, midfielder Cristian Roldan and defender Mark McKenzie were held out of the United States’ training session Sunday.

The United States shouldn’t need any of the three to get past Bosnia and Herzegovina. Then, things get interesting.

What I’m Thinking

The bracket was kindest to Argentina.

France will have to go through Sweden and likely Germany and the Netherlands to reach the semifinals. Brazil and England are on track to meet in the quarterfinals, while Spain headlines a loaded quadrant that also features Portugal, Croatia, Belgium, Senegal and the United States.

Then, there’s the Argentines, who outscored their opponents 8-1 in the group stage. Lionel Messi and company start with what should be a walk in the park against Cape Verde, the Cinderella of the ball. From there, Argentina gets the winner of Australia and Egypt, which should be another straightforward affair. The biggest test before the semifinal would come from Switzerland or continental foe Colombia in the quarterfinals.

The path to the semifinals matters as much as the quality of the roster, and no team has a better combination than La Albiceleste.

What I’m Reading

The Denver Gazette’s Mark Kiszla dug into his own wallet to attend the United States vs. Turkey match on Thursday. Kiz captured what makes the event so special regardless of one’s knowledge or appreciation for the beautiful game.

What They’re Saying

Jurgen Klopp, who won a bunch of trophies as the manager of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, praised the United States performance to start the World Cup.

“It is the best team USA has ever had,” Klopp told ESPN.

“You look where the players play. … You have a striker who plays in France, played in England, blah, blah, blah. You have a winger who plays everywhere in Pulisic. The last line plays or played in the Premier League, midfield plays or played in the Premier League or in Italy. You never had a team like that. So, that’s number one. And a sensational coach with Mauricio. Yeah, you have a good team. … I don’t want to jinx it, but the pressure will grow.”

What I’m Following

• The knockout stage started with some fireworks. Stephen Eustaquio gave Canada its first knockout stage win with a goal in the 92^nd minute to send South Africa packing on Sunday afternoon.
• The leading goal scorers through the group stage reads like a who’s who of attacking greatness. Messi leads the way with six goals in Argentina’s three games, while France’s Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and Norway’s Erling Haaland bagged four goals apiece in the group stage.
• Sweden’s Alexander Isak, Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes and France’s Michael Olise each assisted three goals during the group stage.
• Mexico and Spain are the only two nations who did not concede a goal in the group stage, while Germany, France and the Netherlands led the way by scoring 10 goals in the group stage.
• Spain could be without wingers Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino to start the group stage. Williams suffered an abductor injury, while Pino injured his collarbone, though he avoided a fracture.
• After South Korea failed to make it out of the group stage, manager Hong Myung-Bo resigned Sunday.