Christian Pulisic fired the United States into the last 16 World Cup on Tuesday as the Americans downed Iran 1-0 in their politically charged grudge match.
Chelsea star Pulisic bundled home the do-or-die Group B game’s only goal in 38 minutes to set up a second-round clash with Group A winners the Netherlands on Saturday.
“The first half we showed what we can do, soccer wise, the second half we showed what we could do determination wise,” US coach Gregg Berhalter said after the win.
“The guys ground gave every ounce, and we are undefeated going into the next round.”
Pulisic left the field at half-time after sustaining a heavy knock while scoring his match-winning goal.
“I can’t say enough positive things about Christian,” Berhalter said. “With this new injury, it’s stressful. I think I have less hair on my head now. But we’ll take it, move on, and battle against Holland.”
The victory was no less than Berhalter’s youthful side deserved in what was only the third international football clash between the bitter ideological rivals.
The build-up to a pulsating showdown had been marked by steadily escalating tension, with Iran’s Football Federation demanding that FIFA sanction US Soccer for posting a modified version of their country’s flag on social media.
But despite an electrifying atmosphere at Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium, the game played out without controversy as the US avenged their 1998 World Cup defeat to Iran to send the Asian qualifiers crashing out of the tournament.
Iran’s fans had roared their team onto the field at the start of the game amid a loud cacophony of air horns and cheers from the crowd of 42,127.
But despite the intimidating reception, the Americans looked more comfortable.
US captain Tyler Adams and Juventus’ Weston McKennie controlled proceedings in midfield to leave Iran struggling to gain a foothold.
Attacking ambition
After only two minutes, the US signaled their attacking ambition, and Pulisic surged forward menacingly before being dispossessed.
That was a shape of things to come as they laid siege to the Iranian goal.
Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah shot over the bar, and Pulisic just failed to get enough power on a header after a cross from Antonee Robinson.
Fullback Sergio Dest was a constant threat down the right flank for the Americans, whipping a crossover in the 17th minute that Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand could only parry.
After sustained US pressure, the breakthrough finally came in the 38th minute.
A brilliant crossfield pass from McKennie picked out Dest down the right.
The AC Milan defender headed back across the goal, and Pulisic was on hand to bravely finish.
There was an alarm for US fans with Pulisic needing sustained treatment after a heavy collision with Beiranvand, but the Iranians and their noisy fans were left winded by the goal.
The crowd instantly became more subdued, and the US twice came close to doubling their lead before half-time.
Josh Sargent and Tim Weah combined well with a stunning counter-attack, but the final ball went astray.
Then in injury time, McKennie’s sublime pass found Weah, who finished brilliantly past Beiranvand, only to be ruled just offside.
Knowing that an equalizer would send them into the second round, the Iranians put pressure in the second half.
But substitute Saman Ghoddos squandered two gilt-edged chances to get his team into the match, heading over from close range before blazing a shot over the bar in the 65th minute with the whole goal to aim at.
Saeid Ezatolahi curled a long-range shot over the bar soon afterward as the Americans continued to live dangerously.
Iran threatened again in the final 10 minutes when Ali Karimi failed to get on the end of a teasing cross by Ezatolahi.
A diving header from Morteza Pouraliganji whistled just wide in injury time. Then Mehdi Taremi had calls for a penalty after a tangle with Cameron Carter Vickers waved away to leave American nerves jangling before their team hung on for a famous win. (AFP)
