USA beats Iran, advances to second round of World Cup; Will face the Netherlands next

The USA defeated Iran 1-0 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday in a fiercely contested match, advancing the team to the second round of the tournament, where they will face the Netherlands in a knockout match this weekend.

Christian Pulisic made the difference today with an attacking goal in the 38th minute of a dominant first half for the Americans at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. It was the Chelsea forward’s 22nd American goal, although he picked up an injury in the game and was substituted at half-time.

USA needed a win in the Group B game to advance. With the win, they will play Group A winners the Netherlands on Saturday to open the knockout stage of the second round. This match will air at 10:00 ET in the US on Fox, Telemundo and Peacock.

USA missed out on the 2018 World Cup, but has now reached the round of 16 in three straight World Cup appearances and four of the last five. The win also snapped a five-game winning streak for Team USA, including a disappointing 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener against Wales and a much stronger performance, but a 0-0 draw against eventual Group B- winners, England.

This Black Friday game between the USA and England attracted 15.4 million viewers on Fox, while an additional 4.6 million viewers tuned in to US Hispanic coverage on Telemundo, Peacock and digital platforms. It was 33% more in the US opener against Wales.

England defeated Wales 3-0 in their other final group match on Tuesday and face Senegal in the knockout stages. Iran and Wales are out. Group play continues until Friday, with lottery tickets awarded to pre-tournament favourites, including Argentina, Spain, Germany and Belgium.

Pulisic’s goal was achieved by a through ball from Weston McKennie that found Sergiño Dest who stormed into the right side of the box. Dest headed the goal across goal to an onrushing Pulisic who flicked the ball past Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, but the two collided. Pulisic lay there for several minutes.

Pulisic’s status for the rest of the team’s tournament run is unclear, but Fox reported after the game that he was taken to the hospital with an abdominal injury. Pulisic, considered one of Team USA’s best players and scorers, later tweeted from his hospital bed that he would be back on Saturday.

The USA dominated possession in the first half, leading 8-0 in shots, but the second half was more nervy as Iran pushed for an equalizer. The U.S. made more defensive substitutions late and sweated through more than 9 minutes of stoppage time, including center back Walker Zimmerman, one of those substitutes, who cleared a ball off the goal line after beating U.S. keeper Matt Turner in the 98th minute passed to press. . Help the cause.

Apart from the soccer aspect, there was plenty of tension in the meeting between the USA and Iran, a re-enactment of a 1998 World Cup in which Iran defeated the USA 2-1. Qatari officials have worked to reduce protests in Iran and unrest at home following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in September.

The U.S. Soccer Association omitted the Islamic Republic’s emblem from the Iranian flag in social media posts previewing tonight’s game. Iran has lodged a formal protest with World Cup organizers FIFA to kick Team USA out of the tournament due to underage.

The USSF later told CNN the symbolic step was taken to “support women in Iran who are fighting for basic human rights.” The IR sticker was back on all flags after 24 hours.