Christian Pulisic scored the game-winning goal as the United States defeated Iran 1-0 in their politically charged grudge match on Tuesday.
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic scored the game’s lone goal in 38 minutes to set up a second-round meeting with Group A winners the Netherlands on Saturday.
“The first half we showed what we could do in terms of soccer, and the second half we showed what we could do in terms of determination,” US coach Gregg Berhalter said after the win.
“The guys ground it out and gave every ounce, and we’re undefeated going into the next round.”
After taking a significant blow while scoring the game-winning goal, Pulisic departed the pitch at halftime.
I can’t express my admiration for Christian enough, Berhalter remarked. “It’s worrisome because of this new injury. I believe my head’s hair is getting thinner. However, we’ll accept it and continue on to fight Holland.
It was only the third international soccer match between the fierce ideological foes, but the triumph was no less than Berhalter’s young team deserved.
The tension leading up to a heart-pounding match had been progressively rising, with Iran’s football association requesting on Sunday that FIFA punish US Soccer for using a modified version of their flag on social media.
– Attacking ambition –
After just two minutes, the US showed their will to attack when Pulisic surged forward menacingly before being taken down.
That was a preview of what was to come as they besieged the Iranian objective.
Yunus Musah, a midfielder for Valencia, missed a shot, and Pulisic narrowly missed with a header from an Antonee Robinson cross.
The Americans’ right-side fullback Sergino Dest was a persistent menace, sending in a cross in the 17th minute that Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand could barely parry.
In the 38th minute, the breakthrough eventually occurred following persistent US pressure.
McKennie made a great cross-field pass that found Dest on the right.
The AC Milan defender sent the ball back across the goal, where Pulisic boldly scored.
While Pulisic’s need for prolonged care following a severe collision with Beiranvand alarmed US supporters, the Iranians and their rowdy fans were left exhausted by the goal.
The audience immediately went quieter, and before halftime, the US had two opportunities to double its lead.
With a brilliant counterattack, Josh Sargent and Tim Weah worked well together, but the last pass was missed.
Then, during added time, McKennie’s exquisite ball found Weah, who superbly finished past Beiranvand but was merely adjudged to be offside.
The Iranians increased their pressure in the second half knowing that an equalizer would advance them to the second round.
Saman Ghoddos, a replacement, missed two golden opportunities to help his team tie the game, first heading over from close range and then launching a shot over the bar with the entire goal in view in the 65th minute.
The Americans kept living dangerously, and soon Saeid Ezatolahi curled a long shot over the bar.
In the final ten minutes, Iran once more came close to scoring when Ali Karimi narrowly missed converting an eye-catching cross from Ezatolahi.
Morteza Pouraliganji’s diving header in stoppage time and Mehdi Taremi’s claims for a penalty after a collision with Cameron Carter Vickers were both waved away, which caused American nerves to fray before their team held on for a historic victory.
