Tillman realises dream of ‘scoring a free kick’ US World Cup hopes getting bigger

SANTA CLARA, California:

Malik Tillman stepped up for a free kick with a bloody sock and a new right boot after being stepped on by an opponent as the United States (US) scrambled to protect a one-goal lead, down a man in a World Cup knockout round.

Tillman delivered the goal of his life, and one of the biggest ever by a US man at the World Cup, sending this American soccer fairytale into the round of 16.

“I’ve been dreaming about this game,” Tillman said after scoring the final goal in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night. “I’ve been dreaming about maybe taking a free kick and scoring a free kick. I’ve practised this in training and I think today I showed what I can do.”

The round of 32 win set up a Monday matchup in Seattle against Belgium as the US hopes to make a deep run on home soil. The Red Devils beat the Americans 2-1 in extra time at 2014’s round of 16.

“It’s about to keep dreaming,” said US coach Mauricio Pochettino, who belted out “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as it played over the public-address system after 10 minutes of stoppage time. “In football all is possible if you believe.”

Folarin Balogun put the Americans ahead in the 45th minute with his third goal of the World Cup, then was sent off in the 64th for a red card.

Star Christian Pulisic had a goal disallowed for offside in the 78th, and Tillman helped seal the win when he curled in a free kick that got over the wall and on target from just outside the box in the 82nd.

The Americans had to scramble after Balogun’s foul for awkwardly stepping on Tarik Muharemovic.

“It felt so comfortable, even down to 10 men,” captain Tim Ream said. “That’s the way you want to feel. You don’t want to have that panic set in. You want have that calm and focus and we had that.”

Pochettino became the first US coach with three World Cup victories, and the Americans gained just their second World Cup knockout round win. They made it to the semifinals in the first tournament in 1930 by winning their group and won a round of 16 matchup against Mexico in 2002.

Balogun matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude’s four in 1930.

“Of course he’s a great player,” Tillman said. “We have great players who can replace him, and give the best they can, and hopefully score some nice goals as well.”

Bosnia’s second World Cup trip was a success with a draw against Canada in the opener and a win over Qatar that helped the team advance to the knockout round for the first time. But it ended in disappointment.

“We had our moments after the red card,” Vasilj said. “You could feel that there was something. The only thing that was missing was a goal. And then in the worst moment, out of nothing, I would say, a free kick, and we conceded a second goal. After that, it was really difficult.”