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 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 football fairytale into the round of 16.
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“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 practiced 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.
