The U.S. Men’s National Team sealed its place into the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 with Malik Tillman playing a part in both goals against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Tillman helped set up Folarin Balogun’s opening goal before delivering an insurance free kick finish in Wednesday’s 2-0 Round of 32 victory at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder earned SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors after delivering a stellar 90-minute shift for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
Balogun broke the deadlock in the 45th minute, capping off a consistent spell of USMNT pressure. Tillman played a pass into the Bosnia-Herzegovina backline that Balogun was able to gather off of a deflection and slot home.
It marked Balogun’s third-career World Cup goal.
Despite the Monaco forward being sent off for a red card challenge after the hour mark, the USMNT would ice their result with Tillman calling his own number.
Tillman delivered his first World Cup goal by stroking a right-footed free kick over the Bosnia-Herzegovina wall and into the back of the net with eight minutes to play. Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj got a hand to the shot but wasn’t able to keep it out, watching as Tillman celebrated with his teammates.
“It’s been a long course to be honest, I practice it in training but you never know when it’s going to happen. Today I was very confident and happy it went in,” Tillman said about his goal in a postmatch FOX interview.
The 24-year-old Tillman also won six duels, made six defensive recoveries, and drew one foul, in addition to having a vital say in the final scoreline.
Tillman edged Balogun, Alex Freeman, and Antonee Robinson for Man of the Match honors.
What did you think of Tillman’s performance? Do you continue to see him playing a factor for the USMNT this summer?
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Source: Sbisoccer.com