Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

USMNT fends off Iran 1-0 to advance to knockout stage

Christian Pulisic scored in the 38th minute and the U.S. men’s national team held on in a must-win match to defeat Iran 1-0 in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday to advance to the round of 16.

The U.S. plays Group A winner The Netherlands on Saturday. Group B winner England plays Group A runner-up Senegal on Sunday.

Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

The U.S. finished second in Group B with five points (1-0-2) to reach the knockout stage for the sixth time in 11 World Cup appearances.

Iran (1-0-2, three points) only needed a tie to advance out of group play for the first time.

In the 93rd minute, a header by Morteza Pouraliganji missed the left post by a foot and in the 97th minute Walker Zimmerman had a clearance a few yards in front of the goal.

Pulisic suffered an abdominal injury on the goal and was replaced at halftime Brenden Aaronson.

Pulisic paid the price putting the U.S. ahead. The play started with an over-the-top ball to Sergino Dest on the right side of the box by Weston McKennie.

Dest sent a header to the charging Pulisic, who volleyed the ball into the goal before crashing into goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Pulisic was on the ground for several minutes and struggled in his return to the field of play.

Pulisic has 22 goals in 55 international appearances.

Tim Weah almost added to the lead in the sixth minute of stoppage but was ruled offside by inches to nullify the score.

The match was played amidst tensions between the countries at a political level. That tension spilled over to the teams when the U.S. Soccer Federation on Sunday briefly displayed a graphic of the Iranian flag without the Islamic republic emblem. It was a way of showing support for protesters in Iran who are fighting for women’s rights.

The Iranian government wanted the U.S. team banished from the World Cup. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said the team had no prior knowledge before the posting of the flag.

–Field Level Media

Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Care for a wager? Head to our sports betting section for news and odds.