Belgium was much better than the USA Tuesday, unleashing a steady avalanche of 27 shots on target to America's late flurry of 9. But the USA very nearly stole it, thanks in large part to the all-consuming majesty of Tim Howard. Can't blame a guy for getting choked up after this outpouring of effort:
Dude played like a flailing, shrieking squid-man, walling off empty nets with nary a friend to help him. The mere two balls that evaded Howard immediately apologized.
In what may have been his last game in a USA uniform, Howard made goalkeeping history: SIXTEEN damn saves in a single game, shattering the previous World Cup record:
#USA goalkeeper @TimHowardGK's 16 saves against #BEL were the most in a #WorldCup game over the last 50 years.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 1, 2014
16 saves against the quality of looks Belgium got is basically this:
And it gets you this kind of respect from the victor:
Two words.. TIM HOWARD #Respect #BelUSA
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) July 1, 2014
Thank you, Tim.