At the World Cup, the Americans won after five games, they drew in the two previous duels in Qatar. Team USA has made it to the round of 16 in their last three World Cup appearances and will face the Netherlands in the round of 16 on Saturday. The Iranians failed to progress from the group to the World Cup for the first time and greeted the tournament with a balance of two defeats and one victory.
“It was difficult going into the game with Iran needing a draw. That made the game a bit more difficult. I’m proud of the lads, how they handled it, we advanced undefeated. From here on it can anything happen”. American coach Gregg Berhalter said at a press conference.
The two countries have not maintained diplomatic relations since 1980, but there have been no significant tensions between the teams on the field. A draw would have been enough for the Iranians to advance, the Americans needed to win and have been more active from the start.
Baíranvánd, who was injured in the opening match of the championship against England and did not play in the second match, returned to the Iranian goal. The 30-year-old goalkeeper had more work to do than his counterpart. Before him, he cleared Pulisic’s header, and in the 17th minute he headed Dest’s sharp cross from the right.
In the 34th minute, after Sargent’s tap-in, Weah shot just high, but within the next four minutes the Americans were already ahead. Dest ran into McKennie’s cross, headed the ball in front of goal and Pulisic put it in from close range. However, the Chelsea midfielder collided with the goalkeeper and did not start the second half.
According to the American Federation, he was taken to hospital with an abdominal injury, where he is awaiting examination. “He went to hospital as a precaution, he was dizzy. He was hit just below the stomach. Of course, his injury is stressful. But we will deal with it and prepare for the Dutchman,” said Berhalter.
At the end of the five minutes of the first half, Weah beat the goalkeeper with the help of his stick, but his shot was disallowed for offside. The Americans won the opener on shootout 8-0. “We showed what we can do in the first half,” praised Berhalter.
“The first half belonged to the Americans. They started much better than us, they were quicker, they controlled the game better. They deserved to score, there’s no doubt about that,” said Carlos Queiroz, the Portuguese coach of the Iranians .
The Iranians did not threaten for the first time until the 52nd minute, when substitute Ghoddos headed in narrowly. In the 65th minute the same player shot just wide, but the Spanish referee Lahoz had already called a foul.
The Iranians pushed for an equalizer and were given several options in stoppage time. Púralígandží headed in from the center falling just wide and just before the end defender Zimmerman kicked the ball past the already beaten goalkeeper. The Iranians asked in vain for a penalty. The Americans won for the first time in the third match between them and won after five duels and three draws in a row.
“The second half was the opposite of the first. After the break we came back stronger, we had chances. In the second half we were better and we deserved the draw. But football is not about merit, it’s about goals. Our dream it’s running out,” Queiroz said.
