The United States has advanced to the knockout round in the 2022 World Cup after defeating Iran 1-0.
The victory is the first World Cup win for the men’s team since they defeated Ghana in the group stage in 2014 after they drew against England and Wales in this year’s tournament.
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American midfielder Christian Pulisic scored the only goal for the U.S. in the 38th minute. It was only the team’s second goal in the tournament after going scoreless against England and scoring once against Wales.
Pulisic would be substituted after he collided with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand while scoring the goal. He was taken to the hospital with an abdominal injury, and his status for the United States’s knockout round game Saturday is unclear, per Fox Sports.
Pulisic puts it away! ?
? » @FOXSoccer
pic.twitter.com/HPId4hsu4a— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 29, 2022
The U.S. almost doubled the score with a goal by Tim Weah in the seventh minute of stoppage time in the first half, but he was ruled offside.
In the second half, the U.S. was on edge as Iran had several close calls. A golden opportunity for Iran took place in the ninth minute of stoppage time when the ball went past U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner but was kicked away by Walker Zimmerman, averting disaster.
Iran only needed to tie the U.S. to advance, whereas the U.S. needed to win to move on to the round of 16.
Tensions between the teams were high before the match, as the U.S. opted not to include the center emblem on the Iranian flag on a social media graphic as a show of support to protesters in the Middle Eastern country.
President Joe Biden exuberantly announced the U.S. victory Tuesday while at an event in Michigan.”USA! USA! That’s a big game, man. When I spoke to the coach and the players, I said, ‘You can do this.’ They went ‘eh.’ They did it, God love them. Anyway, just thought you might want to hear,” Biden said.
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In the knockout round, the U.S. will face the Netherlands in a tough challenge for the young American team. The U.S.-Netherlands game is scheduled for 10 a.m. EST on Dec. 3 and will be televised by Fox.
The U.S. is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
