Iran 0-1 USA: Chelsea winner Pulisic to face Netherlands in Round of 16
Chelsea midfielder Christian Pulisic scored the only goal as the United States beat Iran 1-0 to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The Chelsea striker scored the game's only goal in the 38th minute as he bravely crept in to convert a header from AC Milan's Sergino Dest from close range.
Iran failed to respond despite needing only a draw to qualify for a second-round clash with the Netherlands. Only a late diving header from Morteza Pouraliganji and a last-minute VAR check made the hearts of the Americans race.
USA dominated the opening period to such an extent that the only fear was whether they would live to regret a catalog of missed chances as they once again lacked the edge in the final third .
Yunus Musah fired a quick shot over the bar and a good Pulisic header was saved by Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand, who also escaped from a Dest cross.
Exploiting plenty of space on the flanks, Dest proved the main threat to the United States while the Iranians, who were looking to break through the group stage for the first time on the sixth attempt, offered little.< /p>
The American woes in front of goal continued when Timothy Weah grabbed an unmarked header on the edge of the penalty area, before the same player created another good chance inside. above the bar.
Weston McKennie sparked the breakthrough USA deserved shortly before the break with a brilliant cross pass to find Dest, who deftly kicked the ball past Pulisic.
Weah found the net but was ruled marginally offside in the process, while the withdrawal of Pulisic, who was injured in the process of scoring, meant a long second half for the men by Gregg Berhalter.
Iran were certainly more of a threat in the form of Brentford striker Saman Ghoddos, instead of the ineffective Sardar Azmoun, and he had Iran's best chance in the 52nd minute when he met Ramin Razaeian's excellent right wing cross with a header that flashed just wide of the target.
After Pouraliganji's header, which went past the wrong side of Matt Turner's right post in the third of nine extra minutes, USA also had to survive a late VAR check when Mehdi Taremi collapsed under the challenge of Cameron Carter-Vickers in the box.
READ MORE: Which Premier League club wins the World Cup? Man Utd trail City, Liverpool behind Brighton
Chelsea midfielder Christian Pulisic scored the only goal as the United States beat Iran 1-0 to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The Chelsea striker scored the game's only goal in the 38th minute as he bravely crept in to convert a header from AC Milan's Sergino Dest from close range.
Iran failed to respond despite needing only a draw to qualify for a second-round clash with the Netherlands. Only a late diving header from Morteza Pouraliganji and a last-minute VAR check made the hearts of the Americans race.
USA dominated the opening period to such an extent that the only fear was whether they would live to regret a catalog of missed chances as they once again lacked the edge in the final third .
Yunus Musah fired a quick shot over the bar and a good Pulisic header was saved by Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand, who also escaped from a Dest cross.
Exploiting plenty of space on the flanks, Dest proved the main threat to the United States while the Iranians, who were looking to break through the group stage for the first time on the sixth attempt, offered little.< /p>
The American woes in front of goal continued when Timothy Weah grabbed an unmarked header on the edge of the penalty area, before the same player created another good chance inside. above the bar.
Weston McKennie sparked the breakthrough USA deserved shortly before the break with a brilliant cross pass to find Dest, who deftly kicked the ball past Pulisic.
Weah found the net but was ruled marginally offside in the process, while the withdrawal of Pulisic, who was injured in the process of scoring, meant a long second half for the men by Gregg Berhalter.
Iran were certainly more of a threat in the form of Brentford striker Saman Ghoddos, instead of the ineffective Sardar Azmoun, and he had Iran's best chance in the 52nd minute when he met Ramin Razaeian's excellent right wing cross with a header that flashed just wide of the target.
After Pouraliganji's header, which went past the wrong side of Matt Turner's right post in the third of nine extra minutes, USA also had to survive a late VAR check when Mehdi Taremi collapsed under the challenge of Cameron Carter-Vickers in the box.
READ MORE: Which Premier League club wins the World Cup? Man Utd trail City, Liverpool behind Brighton
What's Your Reaction?
