The United States men’s national team needed a hero — and in came Captain America to save the day.
Christian Pulisic sacrificed his body to give the USMNT a 1-0 win over Iran on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar, which sent the Americans to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup.
After draws against Wales and England, the U.S. needed to win in order to avoid elimination. They now will face the Netherlands, who won Group A, on Saturday.
Pulisic had dreamed of this World Cup opportunity since he broke out as a teenager. Since he became the face of American soccer. Since he shouldered much of the blame for the U.S. not qualifying in 2018. Since he carried the Americans back to this year’s World Cup.
In a moment that demanded bravery, Pulisic was courageous. He would not let anything deny him, putting his body on the line as he gave the Americans a 1-0 lead that held up in their win over Iran.
Pulisic delivered in his long-awaited chance, though it delivered him a trip to the hospital.
In the 38th minute, Weston McKennie found Sergiño Dest making a darting run into the box and lobbed a pass over the top of the defense. Dest promptly headed the ball back across the goal, where a charging Pulisic met it and coolly tapped it in to put the Americans up 1-0.
“It’s a wonderful thing when one of your best players is also one of the hardest working,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said. “And he’s certainly that. I can’t say enough positive things about Christian.
“I think that’s the American spirit, the way this group plays, and I think people will appreciate that.”
Pulisic was missing, however, from the postgame celebration. He had collided hard with Iranian goalie Alireza Beiranvand while scoring, smacking face-forward into the keeper’s torso as he sprinted full speed toward Dest’s pass.
The 24-year-old star remained on the ground in pain right in front of the goal, holding his midsection. He was treated on the field, then struggled to walk off with trainers, clearly in significant pain. Though Pulisic returned for the end of the first half, Berhalter replaced him with Brenden Aaronson as the teams came out for the second half. Berhalter told reporters that Pulisic had an abdominal injury.
Berhalter did not have an official injury update after the game, and Pulisic now faces a fitness challenge to be available on Saturday against the Netherlands. Forward Josh Sargent also exited with an injury, and his status is uncertain.
“[Pulisic] was taken to the hospital, I think as a precaution,” Berhalter told reporters. “He was feeling some dizziness. It was an abdominal wound, but below his abdomen.”
McKennie told reporters he texted with Pulisic after the game and that his teammate told him, “Best believe I’ll be ready Saturday.”
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In Pulisic’s absence, the Americans desperately defended their lead in the second half with a more cautious approach. Cameron Carter-Vickers, who was making his first World Cup start, was strong at center back in place of the benched Walker Zimmerman. He made a good pairing with Tim Ream, who continued his standout tournament as he anchored the defense to another clean sheet. That left Matt Turner with little to do in net, but he was aggressive coming off his line when called upon.
The midfield trio of Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams and McKennie — who have started all three World Cup games together — dominated again. They constantly won back possession after giveaways and stifled Iranian attacks before they could pose significant danger. McKennie’s pass to Dest, which he unleashed from near the midfield circle, unlocked a stubborn Iranian defense after the Americans had been knocking on the door in the early minutes.
Berhalter shifted into a back-five on defense in the waning minutes, substituting in Zimmerman and Shaq Moore as the U.S. clung to its precious advantage. In the final minute of nine added minutes, Carter-Vickers survived a potential penalty scare as the VAR reviewed a potential foul in the box. Just moments before, Zimmerman had cleared a shot and potential equalizer off the line amid a frantic final few minutes.
“The first half we showed what we could do soccer-wise,” Berhalter said. “Played a really good half. The second half we showed what we could do determination wise. The guys grinded, they gave every single ounce of energy, and we’re undefeated going into the next round.”