World Cup: U.S. defeats Iran on Christian Pulisic goal to advance
Category: Sports
Via: tig • 2 years ago • 17 commentsBy: Kevin Baxter (Los Angeles Times)
Just had to win this one!!
U.S. survives chaotic finish to defeat Iran and advance at World Cup
U.S. players (from left) Sean Johnson, Aaron Long and Yunus Musah celebrate after defeating Iran on Tuesday. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
AL THUMAMA, Qatar — Needing a victory to advance the final 16 of the World Cup, the U.S. took care of business Tuesday, edging Iran 1-0 on a Christian Pulisic goal late in the first half.
With the win the unbeaten U.S. (1-0-2) finished second to England in its group and will meet Group A champion the Netherlands in the Round of 16 on Saturday. Iran, meanwhile, goes home short of the knockout stages for the sixth time in an many visits to the World Cup.
But the Iranians didn't make it easy on the Americans battling to the final minute of stoppage time that left the U.S. win in jeopardy until the final whistle. The U.S. weathered two prime scoring opportunities by the Iranians in a chaotic finish to punch their ticket to the next round.
The only goal the U.S. needed came in the 38th minute when Pulisic got a half-step on Iranian defenders Majid Hosseini and Ramin Rezaeian, allowing him to redirect a headed cross from Sergino Dest into the net from inside the six-yard box.
Woo Hoo!
I wonder what the trip home is going to bring them.................
Failure is not an option. It must be a living hell to be stuck in an authoritarian theocracy.
I'm so glad the US won. Feel bad for the Iranians, tho
I read earlier that they were more than likely in deep shit because they didn't sing the national anthem prior to their defeat at the hands of England.
.
So much for the Iranian government trying to get the American team booted from the games.
Yeah, I saw that on the news. I don't blame the team for taking a stand but I worry for their safety
I'm glad we won. Its still too boring to watch for two hours though. I checked in on it here and there.
US has only scored two goals in three games. They will probably get their clock cleaned by Netherlands, but I'll hope for a miracle.
Gonna hope otherwise.
Me, too. That Christian guy used to play for Manchester United, didn't he? And I understand they are really good team
Awesome! I keep forgetting match times. I'll have to set a reminder when they play the Netherlands.
The real story here is what the Iranian team faces when thjey get back to Iran. They refused to sing their country's national anthem on Monday.
We shall see.
They refused to sing their country's national anthem on Monday.
There could be some logic behind that move, not sing the anthem and face punishment when going home giving the added incentive to do your best to win the world cup and go back heroes and what happened on Monday would be forgotten.
Iran defeated by a goal from a guy named Christian. That’s gotta sting.
Oh, the irony!
Well this guy wasn't even on the team and made the mistake of celebrating for the wrong team.