World Cup 2014: Goalkeeper Tim Howard Makes 16 Saves In USA vs. Belgium! Twitter Reacts To New World Cup Record!

Though the team USA couldn't win against team Belgium, the American goalkeeper, Tim Howard, played the game of his life. The World Cup will continue on with its next matches, but Howard stamped his legacy, with a total of 16 saves in a single game.

Sports fans were definitely in awe of the spectacular goalkeeper. With the talented athlete facing down 39 hard-hititng shots, spectators thought the soccer star was actually a "brick wall" as he blocked each incoming pass. There were high hopes for this one man to lead the entire team to tremendous victory.

But in the end, team USA wasn't destined to win this breathtaking match. Though 16 saves are a noteworthy record, they just weren't enough as the game went to overtime. In an all or nothing match, Howard just needed to stop those two winning goals, but he couldn't.

Twitter was the right place to be to talk about Howard's saves. The American sports crowd were united as they cheered on his remarkable performance. Even if you were on the opposing side, you did have to admit Howard was quite impressive throughout the match.  Argentine superstar Lionel Messi was among those joining in to tweet accolades for Howard.  

This #USA match was Tim Howard vs Belgium.

— Lt. Mustafa Kazemi (@combatjourno) July 1, 2014

"Respect for USA goalkeeper Tim Howard, he made 16 saves vs Belgium, the most in a single #WorldCup match ever. pic.twitter.com/CLpnDo5gpY" — Maude (@MaudeTarbox) July 1, 2014

USA vs. Belgium goalie duel: Tim Howard vs. Thibaut Courtois ! Winner: Howard...by a longshot! Howard saves: 16 ! Courtois saves: about 5 !

— Shane L (@shlonzospa18) July 1, 2014

Goalie Tim Howard sets a World Cup saves record for Team #USA: https://t.co/YRG34ZMmpe Turns aside 16 shots vs. #BEL pic.twitter.com/r3SJ82Xj8C — Yahoo (@Yahoo) July 1, 2014

Tim Howard saved 16 goal-scoring opportunities in USA's match vs Belgium. No goal-keeper achieved the same number since 1966. #WorldCup2014

— LIONEL MESSI. (@Messii10cule) July 1, 2014

Tim Howard during the Belgium vs USA game! pic.twitter.com/jYT4mjSFIP — DJ Cammy (@Reebinho95) July 1, 2014

That Tim Howard vs. Belgium match was too intense! #USA

— Jeremiah Wisdom (@jw157762) July 1, 2014

This is how @USA vs @Belgium looked to me. #TimHoward vs the world. #TimHowardForPresident pic.twitter.com/i8n4Eh8A19 — Prab K (@heyprab) July 1, 2014

I don't think it was Belgium vs. USA I think it was Belgium vs. Tim Howard....

— Rachel Thomas (@rachelll_thomas) July 1, 2014

I won't RT for USA this game but for Tim Howard I will. This was basically Tim Howard VS Belgium — Chuy H Martinez (@chuy0793) July 1, 2014

If only Howard had only stopped those two goals, right? We can only dream.

Though team USA didn't pass to the next level, fans will always remember goalkeeper Tim Howard's 16 saves, a new World Cup record. Readers what did you think of the USA vs. Belgium match?