The United States held on for dear life and beat Iran 1-0 Tuesday to advance to the World Cup round of 16 while eliminating Team Melli. It looked like it would be a comfortable evening after Christian Pulisic put the U.S. up 1-0 in the 38th minute and with the Americans winning every individual duel on the pitch, but Iran dominated the final 20 minutes searching for an all-important equalizer.
And breathe. The United States has advanced from its World Cup group, finishing second behind England. Their crucial 1-0 win against Iran means their tournament will continue into the knockout round for another game at least.
They won, and they're in
THE @USMNT IS HEADING TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGE pic.twitter.com/AEmmUPUprB
Needing a win over Iran to advance to the World Cup round of 16, USMNT star Christian Pulisic got his first-ever goal on the world's biggest stage to put his nation up 1-0 in the 38th minute.
Weston McKennie got the move started with an excellent ball over the top to Sergiño Dest, and Dest played it across the face of goal to meet the advancing Pulisic.
DOHA - U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter recalled Josh Sargent to his starting lineup for Tuesday's Group B showdown against Iran, who were boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand after his recovery from concussion.
Sargent, who started the Americans' opener against Wales, was dropped for Friday's match against England but has regained his spot from Haji Wright up front, while center back Cameron Carter-Vickers replaces Walker Zimmerman.
The United States men’s national team has a simple task on Tuesday. Beat Iran and they advance to the Round of 16. The USA starting XI vs Iran will have to be perfect for the young Americans to extend their stay in Qatar.
We’ve seen small shifts and changes in head coach Gregg Berhalter’s lineups at the World Cup so far. In the Wales game Josh Sargent started at striker but then was switched for Haji Wright in the England game. This was the only personnel change from the first two games.
In the aftermath of the fifth 0-0 draw at this year’s World Cup, the reception has been mixed. The abnormality in this instance is that your location in relation to the Atlantic Ocean seems to determine your opinions regarding the result and the match as a whole.
The United States men’s national team defied the doubters and earned a tough 0-0 draw against England on Friday. In all honesty the USA had the better chances in the game and some fans will have wished to get a win vs. the Three Lions.
The first big chance came to England in the opening 10 minutes with Walker Zimmerman having a crucial block against Harry Kane.
Massive stop by Zimmerman pic.twitter.com/Sbsh4qrnJT
The USMNT "won" another famous World Cup draw with England on Friday, battling to a 0-0 stalemate in a gripping affair in which the U.S. outshot the Three Lions 10 to eight, earned seven corners and, without a doubt, inspired its country back home.
Before the tournament started, if U.S. supporters were offered the eventual outcome of only needing to beat Iran to advance to the last-16 they'd have taken that agreement in a heartbeat. Well, that's the scenario the U.S. faces on Tuesday after Iran beat Wales 2-0 earlier in the day.
Just as quickly as the tournament crept up to us, it's approaching the critical stages. For the United States, the final day of the group stage will decide whether their World Cup ends prematurely or if Gregg Berhalter and his side will play a fourth game. With today’s results, what exactly are the United States World Cup scenarios to qualify for the knockout stage going into the final group stage game against Iran?
The United States began its World Cup odyssey with a bittersweet 1-1 draw against Wales on Monday, and Gregg Berhalter's men return Friday against an England team that reaffirmed its status as a tournament favorite by hammering Iran 6-2 to go top of Group B after Match Day 1.