• In a highly charged political rivalry game, the United States defeated Iran 1-0 on Tuesday to advance to the round of 16 of the World Cup
• The Chelsea sensation Pulisic scored the game’s lone goal in the decisive Group B match on minute 38
• It set up a second-round matchup with the Group A champions the Netherlands on Saturday

After the victory, US coach Gregg Berhalter said, “The first half we showed what we can do, soccer-wise, and the second half we showed what we could do, determination-wise.”

We are unbeaten going into the next round because the men grinded and gave everything they had.

After taking a significant blow while scoring the game-winning goal, Pulisic departed the pitch at halftime.

I can’t express my admiration for Christian enough, Berhalter remarked. “It’s frustrating having this new injury. I believe my head’s hair is getting thinner. But we’ll accept that, move on, and engage Holland in combat.”

It was only the third international soccer match between the fierce ideological foes, but the triumph was no less than Berhalter’s young team deserved.

The tension leading up to a heart-pounding match had been progressively rising, with Iran’s football association requesting on Sunday that FIFA punish US Soccer for using a modified version of their flag on social media.

The US avenged their 1998 World Cup loss to Iran to knock the Asian qualifiers out of the competition, yet despite the explosive atmosphere at Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium, the game went off without incident.

During the game’s opening moments, the 42,127-person audience let up a loud cacophony of air horns and cheers as Iran’s supporters shouted their team onto the field.

Nevertheless, despite the threatening welcome, it was the Americans who appeared more at ease.

Iran struggled to establish a foothold as Weston McKennie of Juventus and US captain Tyler Adams controlled play in midfield.

Taking aim at aspiration

After just two minutes, the US showed their will to attack when Pulisic surged forward menacingly before being taken down.

That was a preview of what was to come as they besieged the Iranian objective.

Yunus Musah, a midfielder for Valencia, missed with a shot, and Pulisic narrowly missed with a header following an Antonee Robinson pass.

The Americans’ right-side fullback Sergino Dest was a persistent menace, sending in a cross in the 17th minute that Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand could barely parry.

In the 38th minute, the breakthrough eventually occurred following persistent US pressure.

McKennie made a great cross-field pass that found Dest on the right.

The AC Milan defender sent the ball back across the goal, where Pulisic boldly scored.

While Pulisic’s need for prolonged care following a severe collision with Beiranvand alarmed US supporters, the Iranians and their rowdy fans were left exhausted by the goal.

The audience immediately went quieter, and before halftime, the US had two opportunities to double their lead.

With a brilliant counterattack, Josh Sargent and Tim Weah worked well together, but the last pass was missed.

Then, during added time, McKennie’s exquisite ball found Weah, who superbly finished past Beiranvand but was merely adjudged to be offside.

The Iranians increased their pressure in the second half knowing that an equaliser would advance them to the second round.

Saman Ghoddos, a replacement, missed two golden opportunities to help his team tie the game, first heading over from close range and then launching a shot over the bar with the entire goal in view in the 65th minute.

The Americans kept living dangerously, and soon Saeid Ezatolahi curled a long shot over the bar.

In the final ten minutes, Iran once more came close to scoring when Ali Karimi narrowly missed converting an eye-catching cross from Ezatolahi.

Morteza Pouraliganji narrowly missed with a diving header in stoppage time, and Mehdi Taremi received calls for a penalty following a collision with Cameron Carter. Vickers waved off to calm American anxieties before their squad held on for a historic victory.

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