Malik Tillman stands out in USA win over Bosnia and Herzegovina

USA beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0, but the cleanest story from USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina was Malik Tillman. He finished with a 7.9 rating from 98 minutes, scored the second goal in the 82nd minute with a free kick, and looked like the player who controlled the game once the evening turned messy.

Tillman’s late control

Tillman did not just arrive late and tidy up the scoreline. He was the best-rated USA player, he stayed on the pitch for the full 98 minutes, and his 82nd-minute free kick made it 2-0 after Folarin Balogun had already opened the scoring.

That is the strongest case for him being the standout here. The goal was decisive, but the broader performance carried weight too. In a game where the USA had to deal with a red card and a more fractured second half, Tillman kept offering an outlet and a bit of control.

Balogun’s night swung hard

Balogun’s evening had almost everything in it. He scored in the 45th minute, then was sent off in the 64th after VAR told the referee to review the challenge on Tarik Muharemović. Sky Sports described the challenge as reckless, while the match event data recorded it as a straight red for serious foul play.

The incident shifted the shape of the match, but it did not erase Balogun’s opener. It also did not stop the USA from finding a second goal through Tillman, which is why the final read is less about one moment and more about how the game was split between them.

Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with the result, but the individual takeaway is straightforward enough. Balogun gave the USA its first goal, then Tillman gave it the cleaner finish.