SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – Malik Tillman was stepped on by an opponent and took a free kick with a bloody sock and new right boot as the United States struggled to protect its one-goal lead in the first round of the World Cup finals.
Tillman achieved a lifelong goal, one of the biggest ever for an American man in this tournament. world cupsent this American soccer fairytale to the Round of 16.
“I dreamed of this game,” Tillman said Wednesday night after scoring the winning goal in a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. “I dreamed of maybe taking a free-kick and scoring a free-kick. I’ve been practicing this in training and I think today I showed what I’m capable of.”
The Round of 32 victory sets up a Monday matchup in Seattle. Belgium match This is because the United States wants to make strides on the mainland. Red Devils defeated Americas 2-1 In overtime in the Round of 16 in 2014.
“We’re trying to keep dreaming,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. After 10 minutes of stoppage time, he belted out “Take Me Home, Country Roads” over the public address system. “In soccer, anything is possible if you believe.”
Folarin Balogun He put the United States ahead in the 45th minute with his third World Cup goal, but was sent off with a red card in the 64th minute.
star christian pulisic A goal was ruled out for offside in the 78th minute, but Tillman sealed the victory in the 82nd minute by curling a free kick over the wall and scoring from just outside the box. The ball grazed the right hand of diving goalkeeper Nicola Vasili and was sucked into the goal, even though Tillman was feeling pain in his bloody right leg from being stepped on.
Balogun dominated the first half and scored in the 45th minute. The American was forced to scramble after an awkward stepping foul on Tarik Muharemovic and kept the shutout despite playing shorthanded for more than 30 minutes.
“We felt very comfortable down to 10 men,” captain Tim Ream said. “That’s what you want to feel. You don’t want to panic. You want to be calm and focused, and we had that.”
Pochettino became the first American manager to win three World Cups, and the Americans picked up their second win in the second round of the World Cup finals. In the first tournament in 1930, they won their group and advanced to the semi-finals, and in 2002 they faced Mexico in the round of 16 and won.
Balogun leads the U.S. with three goals, but will miss the game against Belgium after Brazilian referee Rafael Kraus ruled on an automatic suspension for a red card following a video review. Balogun stepped on Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle, which was clearly unintentional.
Midfielder Weston McKennie said: “Obviously the referee made his own decision, but I think that’s questionable.” “I think there were a lot of other plays like that against other players during the tournament that didn’t get any cards at all. It’s unfortunate.”
Balogun tied Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American player at the World Cup, behind Bert Patenaud’s four goals in 1930.
“Obviously he’s a great player,” Tillman said. “We have a great player who can replace him and I hope he will give his best and score some great goals.”
The win ended the U.S. losing streak against European teams at 10 since a draw against England at the 2022 World Cup. Since defeating Portugal in the opening round of 2002, the United States has lost seven games and tied six against European nations at the World Cup.
The United States got off to a good start in the group stage games, scoring in the first 15 minutes of all three games, but it was Bosnia who had the better chances early on. Matt Freese had to make two saves early on to stop Elmedin Demirovic after his goal kick was caught by the American defense and Kerim Alaibegovic almost scored directly on the ensuing corner kick.
Balogun took over from there. His 31st-minute goal was clearly ruled out for offside, and he was brought down in the box on two subsequent chances, but he eventually scored. Bosnia’s goal kick was intercepted by Riem in midfield and passed to Tyler Adams, who flicked it to Tillman. An errant clearing attempt and deflection by the Bosnians saw the ball find Balogun in the box. Balogun sent a shot with his left foot past Vasili.
Balogun punctuated the goal with his version of the LeBron James Silencer Celebration, Positive reaction from King James himself.
Balogun almost scored again in first-half stoppage time, but his shot from close range hit the crossbar and went out.
Bosnia’s second World Cup trip was a success. Draw with Canada with opener win against qatar This contributed to the team advancing to the final tournament for the first time. However, it ended in disappointment.
“We had some good moments after the red card,” Vasili said. “I felt we had something. The only thing we were missing was a goal. Then at the worst moment we got a free kick out of nothing and conceded the second goal. After that it was really difficult.”
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