Iran 0-1 USA summary: USMNT in last 16, scores, stats and game recap | Qatar World Cup 2022
Iran 0-1 USA: as it happened
USA advance to last 16
The USMNT will play the Netherlands in the last 16 of the World Cup after beating Iran 1-0 on Tuesday.
Defensively, the US stayed tight and in midfield, Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie impressed, getting through a huge amount of work.
It was a solid performance throughout. They put their bodies on the line in what was a proper team display.
Christian Pulisic scored arguably the biggest goal of his career, however, it remains to be seen if he will be back for Saturday's clash against the Netherlands.
The match against the Netherlands will be a huge test for Gregg Berhalter's young side, who will be confident of getting a result and progressing to the quarter-finals.
The US have finished second in Group B, behind group winners England, while Iran have been knocked out.
Saturday will be the fourth game for the USA at this World Cup.
In other injury news, forward Josh Sargent is a doubt for Saturday after coming off with a knock in the second half.
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The USA are through to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
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Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at half-time during the USA’s crucial World Cup win over Iran on Tuesday.
USA take on Netherlands
After today's Group B results, the USA have learned their faith.
They will play the Netherlands, who topped Group A.
Group B winners England face Senegal in their last 16 clash.
Tuesday's World Cup results
Netherlands 2-0 Qatar
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
Wales 0-3 England
Iran 0-1 USA
Pulisic scores all-important goal
Christian Pulisic scored the all-important goal for the USA but had to leave the field of play for what is reportedly an abdominal injury.
Huge victory for USA
They're not going home!
The USA are through to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup!
Iran have been sent home.
USA win!
There's the whistle!
I think that is the right call by Lahoz.
But Lahoz says no and the game continues.
There is a potential penalty for Iran.
Iran want Lahoz to check VAR for a penalty!
We're into the final 60 seconds...
Jalali gets a yellow for dragging Musah down.
That suits the US.
The clock is ticking...
Three minutes left!
Adams shepherds it out. That is very good defending by the US captain down the left flank.
The United States are doing their utmost to hold on.
Turner pushes them up the pitch.
Morteza Pouraliganji!
His header is just wide!
Wow...
FT: Wales 0-3 England
How are your nerves?
As it stands, Iran are going home and the US are going through to the last 16.
Iran have their first corner of the game.
It's cleared by the US. They just want to run the clock down now.
There is going to be nine added minutes!
The US go up the other end, looking to extend their lead, but Musah can't connect with it properly.
It's all about concentration for the US now. They're under pressure as Iran look for that goal that will take them to the last 16.
Iran have to score or they are going home.
There is going to be a lot of stoppage time after a couple of lengthy injuries to US players.
USA double change
OFF Dest
ON Zimmerman
OFF Weah
ON Moore
Iran have a free. The US have to defend resolutely now.
The US high line clear the free. It comes back in but Turner catches the second cross.
Iran sub
OFF Ali Gholizadeh
ON Karim Ansarifard
Iran have never gone beyond the group stage in a World Cup. They are just one goal away from that. A second US goal would leave them dead and buried.
USA change
OFF Sargent
ON Wright
Majid Hosseini picks up a yellow for lifting Brenden Aaronson into the air.
Sargent is limping off. The US have to make a quick decision on whether to leave him on or not.
Sargent is down getting treatment after a nasty fall from a challenge.
Double change for Iran
OFF Ahmad Nourollahi
ON Mehdi Torabi
OFF Ehsan Hajsafi
ON Seyed Abolfazl Jalali Borani
Saeid Ezatollahi opens his body up 25 yards from goal but can't keep it down. If the US don't extend their lead, they need a clean sheet. A draw is not enough.
Yunus Musah goes for it instead but can't keep it down as he looks to bend it in the top corner. The birthday boy fails to hit the target this time.
The US have a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Kellyn Acosta stands over it. The Texan has a decent strike.
England will play Senegal, as it stands.
England will play Senegal, as it stands.
The USA will play Louis van Gaal's Netherlands side.
Marcus Rashford has just scored his second and England's third.
As things stand, England will be Group B winners.
Ghoddos!
Gholizadeh picks him out but he curls his effort just wide!
It's a great chance but he can't get enough curl as he aims for the far top corner.
Rezaeian is down roaring in pain as Robinson scrapes him down the back of his leg. It's accidental but it's also a nasty one.
An Iran goal would knock the USA out of the World Cup.
Saeid Ezatollahi fouls Weston McKennie.
The USA lead 1-0 as we approach the hour-mark.
This will be a long 30+ minutes. A second goal is crucial for Berhalter's side.
Fourteen players - which is just over half the US squad - have represented their country in at least one FIFA Youth World Cup.
This is a very young squad. Are they about to go through to the last 16 of a World Cup?
Aaronson has been excellent since coming on.
He wins a corner again. Iran head it away.
Taremi goes through on goal. Turner comes out to collect it and it looks like the FC Porto forward clips the keeper.
Rashford and Foden have scored for England. And that is why Foden needs to start!
England are beating Wales 2-0!
Ghoddos heads over!
The ball is bouncing, but he can't keep his header down.
From what I'm hearing, Pulisic has an abdominal injury.
The US will be hoping he's back as soon as possible.
They will play the Netherlands if things stay the same.
Aaronson takes the corner from the left.
Iran clear!
Pulisic goes off
And there's confirmation of that US change.
The second half is underway!
It's just past 11pm in Doha and the US lead.
Pulisic off
Christian Pulisic has not left the dressing room and has been substituted.
Brenden Aaronson replaces the goalscorer.
In today's other Group B game, it remains Wales 0-0 England.
USA lead at the break
We have a huge 45 minutes coming up!
HT: Iran 0-1 USA
It's a must-win game for the USA and they're doing just that!
They deserve to be ahead. Pulisic's goal is the difference between the sides.
Tim Weah scores, but he's offside!
It's a beautiful finish too. It's also the right call.
Iran change
OFF Milad Mohammadi
ON Ali Karimi
Karimi replaces the injured Mohammadi for Iran.
There will be five minutes added on!
The US hit Iran on the break!
It's Sargent and Weah. The former gives it to Weah, who crosses, but Iran intercept.
It reminded me of Yorke and Cole, some serious movement and link-up play.
Pulisic is going back in. It doesn't get any bigger than the World Cup though.
The US are playing with 10 men right now.
Sargent fires across the face of goal!
Pulisic is trying to shake off his knock. Berhalter wants to wait before they make a change.
The USA will play the Netherlands on Saturday id things stay the way they currently are.
Pulisic is receiving treatment in the goal he has just scored in after a heavy collision. This is worrying for the US.
Captain America Christian Pulisic gives the US a huge boost before the break.
The USA take the lead!
McKennie picks out Dest, who heads it across the face of the goal and Pulisic is there to finish it from six yards.
GOAL!
PULISIC SCORES!!!
The US go on the attack again and Dest does well to win a corner. Pulisic is on set-pieces. It's their second corner of the night. Pulisic rolls it short to Dest but Iran read it very well.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (24) blocks Nourollahi as he looks to get in ahead of Turner. Nourollahi is now receiving treatment but it's just some old-school defending from the Celtic player. Tonight is Carter-Vickers' 12th cap for the USA. It's his first match playing alongside Tim Ream at the heart of the defence.
Dest goes by three players on the edge of the box but sees his left-footed shot blocked. He shows good feet but then loses his balance.
In tonight's other Group B game, it remains Wales 0-0 England.
Pulisic takes the corner with his right on the left. It's a poor delivery. He sends it to the front post and it's headed away.
Robinson gets forward again and wins a corner.
The US have generated some half-chances so far. It's been a positive start from Berhalter's boys.
Iran are happy to sit in and hit them on the break.
Carlos Queiroz is the longest-serving head coach in Iran’s history.
Dragan Skočić guided the team through most of its successful World Cup qualifying campaign but Iran decided they wanted some more stability with Queiroz and he could make history tonight.
Gregg Berhalter is having a go at the assistant. He thinks Iran's latest passage of play was offside. 0-0
Antonee Robinson crosses but Iran can clear the danger. Remember, Iran can progress with a draw tonight.
They lost their opener against England and beat Wales in their second World Cup match.
Dest crosses from the right but Beiranvand gets a touch on it. The US are getting joy in wide positions, which they will look to exploit with the speed on both flanks.
The USA have so much quality in that midfield three of McKennie, Adams and Musah. The creative hub will be key if the US are to win tonight.
Iran have never advanced from the group stage at the World Cup. They finished third behind Spain and Portugal at Russia 2018.
PULISIC!
He gets up highest to head goalwards but Beiranvand saves.
It's a delightful cross into the box by Musah.
Pulisic doesn't generate enough power on the header. 0-0
Rezaeian comes right through the back of Pulisic and the US have a free-kick. Pulisic has an impressive 54 caps for his country. He's still only 24.
Iran and the US met at France 1998, a 2-1 group stage defeat for the United States.
Iran took a two-goal lead before current USMNT general manager Brian McBride pulled one back in the 87th minute.
Hajsafi sends a long throw into the box. Turner comes out to claim it.
Tonight is the third meeting between the USA and Iran, with the US record at 0-1-1.
Musah crosses from the right but it evades everyone. The US are on the front foot.
Iran will look to play on the counterattack and break quickly in wide areas.
Pulisic gets around two Iran defenders but it's one touch too many for the Chelsea forward.
All the emotion off the pitch will be put to one side for 90 minutes as these side look to progress to the last 16 of the World Cup.
The USA are wearing blue, Iran are wearing white.
We're underway in Doha!
Iran vs USA
A defeat or a draw tonight will knock the US out of the World Cup.
They have to win!
Now it is time for the US national anthem
There were question marks ahead of the game but the Iranian players are singing their national anthem.
We have the Iran national anthem first
A win for the USA will see Gregg Berhalter's team advance to the last 16.
They will need patience and that midfield three are expected to have plenty of the ball.
The players are in the tunnel. It's almost time for the national anthems.
Kickoff is just 10 minutes away!
Taremi or Pulisic?
AS prediction: Iran 1-2 USA
Iran and USA meet again
The last time Iran and the USA played each other in the World Cup was in 1998.
Dubbed by FourFourTwo magazine as “the most politically charged match in the history of the World Cup,” drama was inevitable even before a ball was kicked.
“One of the first problems was that Iran were team B and the USA were team A,” explained Mehrdad Masoudi, FIFA media officer, “According to FIFA regulations team B should walk towards team A for the pre-match handshakes, but Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei gave express orders that the Iranian team must not walk towards the Americans.”
Iran defeated the US 2-1 in Lyon's Stade de Gerland.
Iran’s World Cup journey has been dogged by events back home with manager, players, and fans forced to address the protests rocking the Islamic Republic.
Pulisic MOTM vs England
England and the US played out a 0-0 draw in Friday’s final World Cup match. Christian Pulisic was voted Man of the Match and will be hoping for a similar performance tonight.
Pulisic is 24 but already has 54 caps and 21 goals for the USMNT.
Kickoff is just over 20 minutes away!
All or nothing
Gregg Berhalter's side have to win or they will be packing their bags and leaving Qatar.
How have Iran and the USA fared at World Cups?
Iran are at a World Cup for the sixth time (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022). However, they have never been able to get past the group stage.
For their part, the USA have been present at 11 World Cups (1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022). Despite their prolific presence at World Cups, they have failed to make it past the quarter-finals.
Berhalter: "I envision the game being hotly contested - not because of politics"
Iran and the USA remain hostile politically, but ahead of kickoff, USA head coach Gregg Berhalter said that will not impact what occurs on the pitch.
"I’ve played in three different countries, and I coached in Sweden, and the thing about soccer is you meet so many different people from all around the world, and you’re united by a common love of the sport.
"I envision the game being hotly contested for the fact that both teams want to advance to the next round – not because of politics or because of relations between our countries.
"We’re soccer players and we’re going to compete and they’re going to compete and that’s it."
Tuesday’s World Cup match between Iran and the USA is going to be a hugely watched game not only for its tournament implications but also to serve as a spotlight on the immense human rights protest movement that has taken Iran by storm.
Iran’s players already made a powerful statement on Monday at the Khalifa International Stadium during their World Cup opener against England.
As the Iranian national anthem played out before the game kicked off, the players stood silent in a show of solidarity with those protesting back home.
Iran XI vs USA
Iran XI: Beiranvand; Mohammadi, Hosseini, Pouraliganji. Rezaeian; Hajsafi, Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, Gholizadeh; Azmoun, Taremi.
Pre-match stroll
The USA players are out on the pitch an hour before kickoff to get those last-minute pre-match selfies.
USA XI vs Iran
Here's how Gregg Berhalter's side will lineup tonight.
Tyler Adams captains the side.
Iran vs USA referees
The referees for Iran vs USA are as follows:
Referee: Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
First assistant referee: Pau Cebrián (Spain)
Second assistant referee: Roberto Díaz (Spain)
Fourth official: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
VAR referee: Juan Martínez (Spain)
VAR assistant: Ricardo de Burgos (Spain)
Offside VAR: Neuza Back (Brazil)
Support VAR: Alejandro Hernández (Spain)
Match venue: Al Thumama Stadium
Tonight's Group B clash will be played at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Group B
Not everything has been decided in Group B, the points are fairly evenly spread and although England have a good chance of qualifying, the rest of the teams in the group are still looking to progress. The table looks like this at the moment:
1) England: 4 points
2) Iran: 3 points
3) USA: 2 points
4) Wales: 1 point
USA get ready
It's quiet in there right now. The players have their favourite playlists ready on Spotify and will be getting into the groove after their pre-match nutrition.
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Here's a profile I wrote on Yunus Musah before the World Cup.
Not much has changed since then except for the fact that he turned 20 today.
He's still very young, currently plies his trade at Valencia in La Liga, and is attracting interest from some of the top clubs in Serie A.
Against England on Friday, he was very impressive in the engine room.
Where are the USA in the world rankings?
The USA are 16th in the global table.
Gregg Berhalter's side need to beat Iran to make it into the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
Kickoff is just 90 minutes away!
Where are Iran in the FIFA world rankings?
The Iranians sit 20th on FIFA’s list.
Victory or a draw against the USA will see the Asian team qualify for the knockout stage.
USMNT stat:
The USMNT's starting XI against England was the fifth youngest USMNT World Cup lineup after the three 1990 matches (all just over 24 years) and Monday’s match against Wales (25 years, 102 days).
Ahead of the crunch match between Iran and the USA, the USMNT displayed the Iranian flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic.
As you’ll likely be aware, Iran has experienced anti-government protests over its human rights record and the decision of the US Soccer Federation to display that flag on its social media accounts without the symbol in its center was seen as a sign of support for the protesters.
Iran’s government reacted by accusing the US of purposefully removing the name of God from their national flag. This was confirmed by the federation on Sunday when it said that it decided to forego the official flag to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”
And Iran’s football federation even went so far as to demand that the USMNT receive a 10-game ban for “offending the dignity” of their country.
Senegal into last 16
Senegal join the Netherlands in the last 16 after recording a 2-1 victory over Ecuador, who sat in second place before today's match. It's tough on Ecuador but Senegal finish with six points from their three group games.
Netherlands advance to last 16
Group A is done and dusted!
The Netherlands finish top of the pile with seven points after beating Qatar 2-0.
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Our referee for this game at the Al Thumama Stadium is Spain’s experienced Antonio Mateu Lahoz.
This is his second game at the 2022 World Cup, having already overseen Qatar vs Senegal, and the fourth time he has taken charge in a World Cup, his previous two coming in Russia 2018. Lahoz is 45 years old and hails from Valencia.
Yellow card watch
USA players Kellyn Acosta, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie and Tim Ream carry yellow cards into the match against Iran.
If any are shown a yellow card today, they will miss the USA’s potential round of 16 match.
Group B, as things stand:
Here you have it!
England are top and face Wales, who are bottom.
Iran take on the USA with everything still up for grabs!
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A lot of the talk ahead of this fixture has not been football related. Carlos Queiroz and Jurgen Klinsmann have been tangled up in their own mess in recent days.
Klinsmann, who was working on the BBC, had the following to say about Queiroz and Iran:
"Carlos fits really well with the national team and their culture, he failed in South America with Colombia and then failed to qualify with Egypt, and he came in right before the World Cup with Iran, where he worked for a long time. It is not by coincidence, it is part of their culture, how they play.
"They worked the referee. They work the linesman and fourth official, they are constantly in their ear. There were a lot of incidents we didn’t see. This is their culture, they take you off your game."
Here's what the former Manchester United number two Queiroz had to say:
"No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran Culture, Iran National Team and my Players are a disgrace to Football. Nobody can hurt our integrity if it is not at our level, of course.
"Even saying so, we would like to invite you as our guest, to come to our National Team Camp, socialize with Iran players and learn from them about the Country, the people of Iran, the poets and art, the algebra, all the millennial Persian culture… And also listen from our players how much they love and respect Football.
"As American/German, we understand your no support. No problem. And despite your outrageous remarks on BBC trying to undermine our efforts, sacrifices and skills, we promise you that we will not produce any judgments regarding your culture, roots and background and that you will always be welcome to our Family.
"At the same time, we just want to follow with full attention what will be the decision of FIFA regarding your position as a member of Qatar 2022 Technical Study Group. Because, obviously, we expect you to resign before you visit our camp," he added.
Yunus Musah turns 20
USA Midfielder Yunus Musah turns 20 today. His 21 international appearances tie Christian Pulisic and Jozy Altidore for most caps as a teenager.
With his start against England, who he represented at the youth international level, the Valencia player became the only teenager to make multiple World Cup appearances for the US.
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Ahead of kickoff, you might be wondering how Group B is looking.
After beating Wales 2-0 on Friday, things are looking brighter for Iran after their 6-2 humbling by England.
If Iran beat the USA in their final game they go through. If they draw they’ll need to hope England draw or beat Wales.
The Iran-USA H2H
This is an intriguing match-up, between two sides still in with a chance of making it through to the last 16.
The USMNT are ranked 16th in the world, four places ahead of their opponents Iran.
In today's other Group B fixture, Wales take on England.
Iran vs USA: hello and welcome!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this Group B match between Iran and the USA. My name is Kieran and I'll be providing you with all the latest news and team news ahead of kickoff. We'll also have live text commentary on the game itself.