At the world championship, the Americans won after five matches, they drew in the previous two duels in Qatar. Team USA has made it to the knockout rounds in its last three appearances at the World Cup and will play the Netherlands in the round of 16 on Saturday. The Iranians failed to advance from the group to the World Cup for the first time and bid farewell to the tournament with a balance of two defeats and one victory.
“It was difficult going into the match with Iran needing a draw. That made the match a little bit more difficult. I’m proud of the boys, how they handled it, we advanced undefeated. From here on, anything can happen,” said American coach Gregg Berhalter at a press conference .
The two countries have not maintained diplomatic relations since 1980, but there was no significant tension between the teams on the pitch. A draw would be enough for the Iranians to advance, the Americans needed to win and were 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. First, he eliminated Pulisic’s header, and in the 17th minute he headed in Dest’s sharp cross from the right side.
In the 34th minute, after Sargent’s tap-in, Weah narrowly shot over, but in the next four minutes, the Americans were already in the lead. Dest ran onto McKennie’s cross, headed the ball in front of the goal, and Pulisic put it into the net 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 the hospital with an abdominal injury, where he is awaiting examination. “He went to the hospital as a precaution, his head was spinning. He was hit just below the stomach. Of course, his injury is stressful. But we will deal with it and prepare for the Dutch,” said Berhalter.
At the end of the five-minute period of the first half, Weah beat the goalkeeper with the help of the stick, but his shot was ruled out for offside. The Americans won the opening act on shots 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 faster, 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 a little over. In the 65th minute, the same player shot just wide, but Spanish referee Lahoz had already blown the whistle for a foul.
The Iranians pushed for an equalizer and had several options in stoppage time. Púralígandží headed the ball from the center in a fall just outside, and just before the end the defending Zimmerman kicked the ball behind the goalkeeper who had already been beaten. The Iranians claimed a penalty in vain. 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. We came back stronger after the break, we were getting chances. We were better in the second half and we deserved a draw. But football is not about merit, it’s about goals. Our dream is ending,” said Queiroz .
