Christian Pulisic’s goal
A goal from Chelsea striker Christian Pulisic against Iran in the final Group B match sends the United States into the last 16, where they will face the Netherlands.
Second place in Group B
The United States have booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, where they will meet the Netherlands, after beating Iran 1-0 on Tuesday in a match in which a solitary goal from Christian Pulisic was enough for the Stars and Stripes to guarantee second place in Group B.
Persian over-euphoria
Going into the third and final matchday with two points, the Americans were able to capitalise on Persian over-euphoria, the Chelsea striker putting Gregg Berhalter’s side ahead on the half-hour mark before leaving the field injured. Carlos Queiroz’s side tried to counter the goal and even appealed for a penalty on Taremi in stoppage time, but in the end they had to bid farewell to Qatar.
The most political match
The tension of the previous days, when US Soccer’s removal of the Islamic Republic’s crest from the Iranian flag sparked anger in the Asian country, which even called for the US team to be expelled from the World Cup, came to a head in the most political match of the tournament.
Dominance without goals
Faced with clear superiority in the stands, the Americans dominated on the pitch, oblivious to the deafening noise of the Al Thumama Stadium, which saw Gregg Berhalter’s side approach the Iranian penalty area but fail to finish successfully.
American persistence
The USA’s persistence was rewarded in a great ball from Weston McKennie to former Barcelona man Sergiño Dest, who set up Christian Pulisic for the ball into the back of the net as he collided with goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand, who also suffered a chilling blow in the England game and was back in goal on Tuesday (39 mins).
Qualified at half-time
The visibly injured Chelsea striker held his own until the end of the first half, which ended with Tim Weah’s goal disallowed by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz for a millimetre-perfect offside. At half-time, the United States were momentarily assured of qualification.
Iran, one goal away from qualification
Saman Ghoddos, who came on at the interval, showed Iran’s intentions, who needed a draw to progress to the last 16 – England had already beaten Wales in the other Group B match – with a header in the 52nd minute that sailed just wide of Matt Turner’s goal.
United States held on
Carlos Queiroz’s side pressed forward, desperately lobbing desperate balls into the box in the final long stoppage time, but the Stars and Stripes held on, waiting for a counter-attack to close out the game that ultimately proved unnecessary.
