Malik Tillman’s late goal eases tension, clinches U.S. knockout win over Bosnia

SANTA CLARA — The United States was down to 10 men.

Its knockout round match against Bosnia and Herzegovina was still in doubt as the Levi’s Stadium crowd watched with uneasiness deep into the second half.

The Americans needed something to soothe the tension Wednesday night, something to give them the goal that would clinch the victory and send them to the round of 16 against Belgium.

Malik Tillman stared at the ball for a free kick just outside the box, to the left of the goal.

A wall of defenders was 10 yards away, including one who stands 6-foot-7.

Tillman’s shot curled over the wall and rocketed to the right of diving goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj for a goal.

The packed house of 68,827 erupted.

The U.S. players spilled onto the pitch in jubilee.

In the 82nd minute of an ultra-physical match, with their striker, Folarin Balogun, sent off earlier in the half with a red card, the Americans could finally breathe.

They had secured just their second knockout round win in their history, prevailing 2-0 to earn a date against Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

“It was amazing,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said of Tillman’s strike. “Malik is an amazing player. So talented. I am so happy for him.”

Tillman, 24, has had a terrific run through the World Cup from his midfield position. He assisted on Balogun’s goal in the U.S.’s group-stage opener against Paraguay.

He has been a steady presence for a team that continues to find higher bars to clear.

On Wednesday, Tillman won nine duels — the most of anyone who played on either side — and had four dangerous interceptions, a metric used in soccer that accounts for stopping an attack.

But his big moment, the one that won’t soon be forgotten, was the ball he struck with his right foot that found the back of the net.

It was his first goal of the World Cup and fourth for the national team.

“I’ve been dreaming about this game,” Tillman said. “I’ve been dreaming about maybe taking a free kick and scoring (on) a free kick. I trained for this in practices and training and then today I showed what I can do.”

After Tillman’s goal, the U.S. chewed up the match’s remaining minutes for its second shutout of the World Cup and third victory in four matches.

With another win Monday, the Americans will reach the quarterfinals for just the second time in the modern era, matching their run at the 2002 World Cup.

“I think this game today showed our character,” Tillman said. “We will always keep on fighting, keep on giving everything.”

Before his goal, Tillman had to change his cleat — the one he’d use to score — because the shoe split open when someone stepped on him.

“I was in pain,” he said. “But my shoe was cut, so this is why I changed the boot.”

The new boot worked out just fine.

“It was crazy,” teammate Chris Richards said. “It dipped over the wall. It’s a lot of practice, man. Those guys, they practice a lot. It was cool to see it pay off.”