FIFA World Cup 2022: Iran vs USA 0-1

The USA secured the final 16th place ahead of Iran.

Christian Pulisic’s first-half goal was enough to lift the United States to a 1-0 victory over Iran to set up a round of 16 meeting with the Netherlands on Saturday.

The USA failed to make the most of a series of golden chances in a dominant first half until Pulisic gave his team a deserved lead in the 38th minute, ending the night at halftime after colliding with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

In contrast to the first half, the Stars and Stripes had to remain resilient in the second period as Iran charged in pursuit of an elusive equalizer and Gregg Berhalter’s side also survived a late penalty appeal to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Iran went into the crucial final group game knowing that a draw would likely be enough to advance to the knockout stage, while the United States were aware that only a win could be enough to continue their journey in Qatar.

Both teams had early possession, but the first fury came from Yunus Musah’s right boot, which shot over the bar.

After missing the target, Musah turned to the creative side of his game and his pinpoint cross sent Pulisic into Beiranvand’s grateful clutches.

The USA continued to look like a two-pronged threat in the first half, but struggled to find an advantage as Timothy Weah squandered several chances.

The striker steered smoothly past Beiranvanda before launching another promising chance into the stands.

His hard work and persistence finally paid off in the 38th minute when Sergina Dest calmly headed in Weston Mckennie’s pass for Pulisic, who collided with Beiranvand for the opener, and the Chelsea striker was forced off at half-time.

Moments before half-time, Weah thought he had doubled his country’s lead when he pounced on Tyler Adams’ pass and fired into the goalkeeper’s box, but the assistant’s flag cut short the celebrations.

Despite offering very little in the first 45 games, Iran were given a boost when England scored twice in the first second half against Wales, meaning a point would be enough for Mella’s side to progress.

Saman Ghoddos stood at half-time and would have been relieved if the referee had called a foul in the build-up to his defeat from the penalty spot which went wide of Matt Turner’s far post.

Despite desperately needing a draw, Iran struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resilient American defense determined to hold off back-to-back World Cup goals for the first time since 1930.

With the deficit still small, the US began to protect its small lead, and as it fell deeper, Iran began to offer an improved threat in the final third.

But Karimi failed to make any meaningful contact after a provocative pass from the right, while Morteza Pouraliganji headed in an agonizing nine minutes into stoppage time.

In the final stages of the shootout, the Iranians had their penalty appeals rejected for what they believed was a foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers on Mehdi Taremi, but referee Mateu Lahoz and VAR deemed the incident not worthy of a penalty and the players’ assurances USA Remained in the hunt for three key points

While Iran will continue its 44-year wait to qualify for the round of 16 at the World Cup, the United States will prepare for the round of 16 against the Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.