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Belgiumvs USA: Tim Howards 16 saves
Tim Howard’sperformance against Belgium in the last-16 stage of the World Cup 2014 did notdeserve a loss. The goalkeeper made a record 16 saves in the match after histeammates were left floundering by the Belgium onslaught. The Everton manresisted a Belgian goalfest for the best part of the 90 minutes before Kevin DeBryune found a way past him in extra-time. Here is the top 10 best saves hemade during the course of the match.
Youngster Divock Origi who started the match in place of Romelu Lukaku was through on goal just after kick-off but was thwarted by Howard who was up to the task right from the beginning.
Tim Howard was not taking any chances with this Mertens strike which wasn’t anywhere near the goal post. This was the just the beginning of a flurry of shots that would come his way on-goal or not
Eden Hazard was just playing himself into the match with this tame effort, Howard did not have to do anything extraordinary to stop the goal. Maybe an extra pass would have just opened up the defense.
Kevin De Bryune was lively throughout the match laying siege on the USA goal, his effort to break the deadlock before the half-time break proved unsuccessful. Howard gobbled up De Bryune’s one touch shot.
Belgium started the second-half just as they had finished the first, Merten’s goal bound header was acrobatically saved by Howard with a gravity-defying jump which looked like he was hung in the air forever.
Jan Vertonghen the full-back from Tottenham Hotspurs was mostly found in the USA half of the pitch making decisive runs and crosses, he got a chance himself when he trickled through the defense but his low drive was stopped in its tracks by Howard who had his quick reflexes to thank for this time.
The Belgian left-back was bombarding the USA goal with both long and short range strikes. Vertonghen went for the 30 yard drive but could not generate enough power to trouble the goalkeeper
The 19-year old run havoc in the American defense and proved his manager’s call to start with him right, Origi had loads of chances to open the scoring, his link-up play with Mirallas did not get the desired result Belgium desperately needed. Howard was alert to the forward trickery.
Kevin Mirallas must be blaming his stars for the amount of shots which were saved by American goalie, the man from Napoli did all he could to get past Howard but was found short with his effort every single time. Howard saved America the blushes with his tiny toe this time.
Eden Hazard the poster boy of the Belgium team had an off day against USA and he cannot expect his first goal-bound effort to go in when Howard was having one of his best days as a goalkeeper. Hazard’s shot did not ruffle any of Howard’s feathers.
Origi had brought his best performance when it mattered the most. The youngster made the most of the opportunity provided to him and tested Howard to the hilt. Origi made a quick turn and flew a thunderous strike towards the goal, Howard just nicked it over the crossbar in time.
Belgium captain Vincent Kompany had to get into the act to help him team out up front leaving his defensive duties aside. Kompany ran the whole length of the pitch for a screwed effort on goal, Howard maybe surprised to see Kompany there had to put in a last-ditch dive to keep the ball away from finding the net.
Origi was replaced by the first choice number 9 Lukaku and instantly made his presence felt when he set up De Bryune’s goal. He himself had a shot on goal in the 97th minute but Howard had not let his hopes of qualification up yet and coolly saved his left-footed strike.
Lukaku since the time he had time come on for Origi seemed like a man on mission, he constantly beat the defense with his pace and strength unleashed his shots on goal. Howard just about managed to keep the Chelsea striker at bay.
Kevin Mirallas was a thorn in the American defense since he came on for Dries Mertens. His mazy runs stretched the Americans and tired legs gave away too much space for the pacy winger to dance through them, his created most of the chances Belgium got in the second half and deserved a goal himself but Howard did not do his Everton teammate any favour.
On any other day Lukaku would have walked away with a World Cup hattrick to his name but Tim Howard was stoic enough to not the let the Lukaku get the better off him any cost. His drive through the left wing was stopped by the Everton goalie.