SOCCER

USA Defeats Iran, Advances Into World Cup Knockout Rounds

Nov 29, 2022, 2:03 PM

Christian-Pulisic-Dribbles-Versus-Iran-At-Qatar-World-Cup...

Christian Pulisic of United States controls the ball against Ramin Rezaeian (C) and Ahmad Noorollahi of IR Iran during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between IR Iran and USA at Al Thumama Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

(Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – The USA has defeated Iran 1-0 in the final Group B fixture of the World Cup and advances into the Round of 16.

The USA will now prepare to play the Netherlands on Saturday, December 3, with kickoff scheduled for 8 a.m.

Christian Pulisic Delivers, Finally

It was the United States main man, Christian Pulisic, who proved to be the difference as his 38th-minute goal was good enough to secure all three points for the Red, White, and Blue. Pulisic ran onto a headered cross from Dutch-born USMNT star Sergiño Dest. But the goal came at a cost as Pulisic clattered into Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand immediately after putting the ball into the back of the net.

Pulisic did not celebrate, instead, he remained with his face in the grass wincing in pain. He did not move for multiple minutes as the US training staff attended to its star forward.

When Pulisic eventually returned to his feet, he was required to rely on the athletic trainers to help support his weight. He was visibly in a lot of pain.

While Pulisic was being tended to on the sideline, the USA was forced to play with 10 men, but that didn’t stop the avalanche of attacks from the USA. Tim Weah came within inches of scoring the game’s second goal just minutes after Pulisic’s opener but the run Weah made in and behind the Iranian backline was deemed offside.

Pulisic failed to return for the second half and was replaced by Leeds United striker Brenden Aaronson. Fox Soccer sideline analysts Jenny Taft confirmed that Pulisic had suffered an abdominal injury. The extent of the injury is currently unknown.

Tense Second Half

Iran, as expected, pushed the tempo in the second half and began taking added risks. Iran needed only a draw to advance in the tournament.

However, USA manager Gregg Berhalter adjusted impressively to the strategic changes from Iran and the United States saw out the remainder of the game. It was tense and tight. The USA shifted to play five players across the backline, and Iran dominated the possession the longer the game went on. The USA slowly dropped deeper and deeper into its own half. But with how many United States players were behind the ball, the Iranian attempts to build any attacking opportunity were denied.

The closest Iran came was in the 93rd minute when a headered attempt from a wide free-kick flew past the near post of Turner. With one minute remaining Iran pleaded for a penalty after center-back Cameron Carter-Vickers looked to have dragged down Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi but it was not awarded.

The United States survived.

Group B concluded with England winning the group and the United States two points behind in second place.

After missing out on qualifying for the 2018 Russia World Cup, the USA has once again prevailed out of the group stage and into the knockout rounds.

Soccer

Chicho-Arango-Real-Salt-Lake-MLS RSL Chicago...

Chandler Holt

RSL Looks To Pick Up First Win Of Month Against Chicago Fire FC

RSL travels to Soldier Field this weekend with a chance for three points in the club's only matchup against the Chicago Fire FC this season.

23 hours ago

Real Salt Lake Columbus Crew...

Chandler Holt

Real Salt Lake Plays To Scoreless Draw Against Columbus Crew

Neither Real Salt Lake nor the Columbus Crew could get on the board at AFF on Saturday. It was the second straight draw for RSL.

5 days ago

Utah-Royals-Orlando-Pride-NWSL...

Kyle Ireland

Utah Royals Shutout, Downed By Marta, Orlando Pride

The Utah Royals suffered their second straight loss and third defeat of the season courtesy of Marta and the Orlando Pride.

6 days ago

Cucho-Hernandez-Columbus-Crew-MLS...

Kyle Ireland

Real Salt Lake Aims For First Win Over Columbus Crew Since 2019

Real Salt Lake hopes to continue its streak of earning points as the club welcomes the Columbus Crew of the Eastern Conference.

6 days ago

Chicho-Arango-Real-Salt-Lake-MLS RSL Chicago...

Kyle Ireland

Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United Draw After Late Equalizer

Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United FC played to a third consecutive draw after the home side scored an equalizer late in the match.

12 days ago

Chicho Arango RSL Real Salt Lake Minnesota United FC...

Chandler Holt

Chicho Arango Gives Real Salt Lake First-Half Lead In Minnesota

Coming off of a hat trick in his last match, RSL forward Chicho Arango added to his season total with a goal in the 24th minute.

12 days ago

Sponsored Articles

ksl-sports-newsletter...

KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.

...

KSL Sports

Jazz Notes Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the Jazz Notes newsletter. Get insider analysis, game recaps and opportunities to win tickets!

Follow @kslsports...

The Road Home Mediathon 2023

The KSL Sports Zone and KSLSports.com are proud to support the all-day Mediathon 2023 at the Road Home, an annual tradition to raise money and other essential items for the Road Home, a Homeless Shelter.

3 kids wearing real salt lake jerseys smiling...

Real Salt Lake

6 Reasons You Need to Experience a RSL Matchday

RSL Games are a great way to spend time with your family with fun activities, good food, and traditions you can only experience at the field.

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.

Jordan-Clarkson-Utah-Jazz...

KSL Digital Sales

Notable Moments From The Utah Jazz Season… So Far

At the beginning of the season, the Utah Jazz were second to last. Now they rank in the top 10 teams in the Western Conference.

USA Defeats Iran, Advances Into World Cup Knockout Rounds