While England secured their 1st place in Group B by dominating Wales, Iran and the USA faced each other to compete for the other ticket for the round of 16 of this 2022 World Cup. Americans, winners 0-1.
Dominating in the first period, the USA multiplied the opportunities and ended up hitting the target via Christian Pulisic (38th). A deserved advantage for the United States, dangerous on several occasions but unable to make the break before the break.
The Iranian players – whose families were threatened by the Iranian authorities before the match – raised their level of play after returning from the locker room despite not having attempted a single shot in the first period.
The Persians thus drastically limited the American possibilities and tried to bring danger into the opposing camp. An ultimately unsuccessful attempt. Apart from an occasion born from the feet of the Carolo Ali Gholizadeh, the Iranians failed to worry the Americans… at least until the 98th minute when Mahdi Taremi claimed a penalty, ultimately not awarded by the referee Mateu Lahoz.
With five points on the clock, the USA take 2nd place in the group behind England (7 pts), ahead of Iran (3 pts) and Wales (1 pt). In the next round, they will be opposed to the Netherlands winners of group A.