World Cup 2022: Iran 0-1 USA: Christian Pulisic winner seals date with Netherlands

By Emma SandersBBC Sport at Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar

Last updated on 29 November 2022.From the section World Cup413

The United States won their World Cup grudge match against Iran as Christian Pulisic scored the winner to set up a last-16 tie with the Netherlands.

The Chelsea forward turned AC Milan defender Sergino Dest's header over the line seven minutes before half-time.

But he collided with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in the process and needed several minutes of treatment - before being replaced at the break.

It was a match with lots at stake as both teams had a chance to seal a place in the knockout stages.

But Iran, who would have gone through with a draw, mustered just one shot on target as they were knocked out.

In the second half, they came close - Brentford's Saman Ghoddos came off the bench to strike inches over the bar when he was unmarked in the box, before Saeid Ezatolahi also curled over.

Perhaps their best chance came deep in stoppage time, when Morteza Pouraliganji met a free-kick with a diving header that went just wide.

And there was still time for controversy as Mehdi Taremi appealed for a penalty as he went down with Cameron Carter-Vickers trying to stop him, but their penalty appeals were rejected.

In the end, Iran exited the World Cup with a sense of disappointment as the USA made the knockout stages for the third time in four tournaments.

This was a meeting between two nations with a difficult relationship.

They cut diplomatic relations in 1980, and their World Cup encounter was played amid a backdrop of widespread anti-government protests in Iran.

Iran has accused the US and other foreign adversaries of instigating the protests. The US government, meanwhile, has imposed sanctions on Iranian officials over a crackdown that has followed.

Those protests were sparked by the death in custody in September of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the strict rules around head coverings.

Earlier this week, USA manager Gregg Berhalter apologised after a modified version of Iran's flag was used in social media posts by the US national team.

The US said they decided not to use Iran's official flag in the social media posts to show "support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights".

USA hold out to clinch last-16 spot

Despite it being an all or nothing match at the Al Thumama Stadium, neither team came out of the blocks oozing intensity.

Iran put a little bit of pressure on the USA defence in the opening minutes but rarely caused much trouble.

Dest was energetic and direct for the USA, while Pulisic's pace and Antonee Robinson's deliveries teased a goal for much of the first half.

When the USA finally opened up the Iran defence - Weston McKennie spraying an inch-perfect pass to Dest to nod down for Pulisic - it only settled them more and they saw out the first half with ease.

Celebrations from a smaller contingent of USA fans behind the goal at the far end were slightly muted as Pulisic received treatment after clattering into the goalkeeper and he later hobbled off.

Iran had nothing to lose after the break and began to throw caution to the wind, creating a few chances but still not really testing USA goalkeeper Matt Turner until very late on.

Ghoddos, Ezatolahi and Ali Karimi gave Iran fans a brief moment of excitement with their efforts, while Timothy Weah - who had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half - remained an outlet for the USA.

As the clock ticked on, the USA broke up play and disrupted rhythm but Iran had one more opportunity to cause a major upset in stoppage time when Pouraliganji headed a free-kick agonisingly wide of the post.

He fell to his knees in frustration, as did several of his team-mates, as Iran knew their chance of taking the USA's place in the last 16 may have just been and gone.

There was desperation with seconds to go as Iran appealed frantically for a penalty but the referee was not interested and there was nothing to suggest any foul play.

As the final whistle went, the USA players and substitutes sprinted over to one end of the pitch to celebrate while the Iran squad fell to the floor.

Player of the match

AdamsTyler Adams

with an average of 8.18

Iran

Squad number14Player nameGhoddos
Average rating
6.09
Squad number23Player nameRezaeian
Average rating
5.46
Squad number18Player nameKarimi
Average rating
5.35
Squad number1Player nameBeyranvand
Average rating
5.14
Squad number9Player nameTaremi
Average rating
5.05
Squad number3Player nameHajisafi
Average rating
4.98
Squad number5Player nameMohammadi
Average rating
4.96
Squad number17Player nameGholizadeh
Average rating
4.96
Squad number19Player nameHosseini
Average rating
4.93
Squad number6Player nameEzatolahi
Average rating
4.90
Squad number20Player nameAzmoun
Average rating
4.89
Squad number21Player nameNoorollahi
Average rating
4.81
Squad number8Player namePouraliganji
Average rating
4.75
Squad number25Player nameJalali
Average rating
4.74
Squad number10Player nameAnsarifard
Average rating
4.69
Squad number16Player nameTorabi
Average rating
4.55

USA

Squad number4Player nameAdams
Average rating
8.18
Squad number10Player namePulisic
Average rating
7.90
Squad number20Player nameCarter-Vickers
Average rating
7.86
Squad number11Player nameAaronson
Average rating
7.63
Squad number24Player nameSargent
Average rating
7.23
Squad number2Player nameDest
Average rating
7.06
Squad number13Player nameReam
Average rating
7.03
Squad number5Player nameRobinson
Average rating
6.91
Squad number1Player nameTurner
Average rating
6.83
Squad number8Player nameMcKennie
Average rating
6.82
Squad number6Player nameMusah
Average rating
6.71
Squad number21Player nameWeah
Average rating
6.63
Squad number3Player nameZimmerman
Average rating
6.35
Squad number18Player nameMoore
Average rating
5.90
Squad number23Player nameAcosta
Average rating
5.63
Squad number19Player nameWright
Average rating
5.41

Line-ups

Iran

Formation 4-4-1-1

1Beyranvand
23Rezaeian
19HosseiniBooked at 77mins
8Pouraliganji
5MohammadiSubstituted forKarimiat 45+3'minutes
17GholizadehSubstituted forAnsarifardat 78'minutes
6Ezatolahi
21NoorollahiSubstituted forTorabiat 71'minutes
3HajisafiSubstituted forJalaliat 72'minutesBooked at 90mins
9Taremi
20AzmounSubstituted forGhoddosat 45'minutes

Substitutes

2Moharrami
4Khalilzadeh
10Ansarifard
11Amiri
12Niazmand
13Kanani
14Ghoddos
15Cheshmi
16Torabi
18Karimi
22Abedzadeh
24Hosseini
25Jalali

USA

Formation 4-3-3

1Turner
2DestSubstituted forMooreat 82'minutes
20Carter-Vickers
13Ream
5Robinson
6Musah
4AdamsBooked at 43mins
8McKennieSubstituted forAcostaat 65'minutes
21WeahSubstituted forZimmermanat 82'minutes
24SargentSubstituted forWrightat 77'minutes
10PulisicSubstituted forAaronsonat 45'minutes

Substitutes

3Zimmerman
7Reyna
9Ferreira
11Aaronson
12Horvath
14de la Torre
15Long
16Morris
17Roldán
18Moore
19Wright
22Yedlin
23Acosta
25Johnson
26Scally

Referee:: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
Attendance:: 42,127

Match Stats

Home TeamIranAway TeamUSA

Possession: Home49%; Away51%

Shots: Home4; Away12

Shots on Target: Home1; Away5

Corners: Home1; Away5

Fouls: Home14; Away10

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, IR Iran 0, USA 1.
90'+10'
Full Time
Second Half ends, IR Iran 0, USA 1.

90'+10'
Post update
Attempt saved. Haji Wright (USA) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Brenden Aaronson.
90'+8'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Morteza Pouraliganji with a headed pass.
90'+8'
Post update
Foul by Haji Wright (USA).
90'+8'
Post update
Abolfazl Jalali (IR Iran) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+6'
Booking
Abolfazl Jalali (IR Iran) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+6'
Post update
Yunus Musah (USA) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+6'
Post update
Foul by Abolfazl Jalali (IR Iran).
90'+3'
Post update
Attempt missed. Morteza Pouraliganji (IR Iran) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ramin Rezaeian with a cross following a set piece situation.
90'+2'
Post update
Foul by Yunus Musah (USA).
90'+2'
Post update
Abolfazl Jalali (IR Iran) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'
Post update
Haji Wright (USA) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'
Post update
Foul by Ali Karimi (IR Iran).
89'
Post update
Corner, IR Iran. Conceded by Shaq Moore.
83'
Booking
Hossein Kanani (IR Iran) is shown the yellow card.
82'
Post update
Hand ball by Yunus Musah (USA).
82'
Substitution
Substitution, USA. Walker Zimmerman replaces Timothy Weah.
82'
Substitution
Substitution, USA. Shaq Moore replaces Sergiño Dest.
81'
Post update
Foul by Timothy Weah (USA).

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413 comments

Comment posted by redwhiteandermblue, at 21:09 29 Nov 2022
US were better, but Iran missed a couple of good chances...unfortunately, IMO, since having to listen to the cheerleading from the US commentators is cruel and unusual punishment. Alexei Lalas may be the most obnoxious commentator I've ever heard.
Reply posted by forsta, at 21:20 29 Nov 2022
forsta replied:
He takes obnoxious to a different level.
Comment posted by rothwelljohn, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022
Well done USA especially knocking Iran out. Thought Tyler Adams spoke wonderfully well answering the Iranian press.
Reply posted by National football team of Aruba, at 21:16 29 Nov 2022
National football team of Aruba replied:
Agree
Comment posted by the peoples poet, at 21:10 29 Nov 2022
Iran will be embarrassed that they only finished 2 points above Wales.
Comment posted by NM, at 21:11 29 Nov 2022
The USA are always a good watch. The really give it a go.
Reply posted by Arch Stanton, at 21:34 29 Nov 2022
Arch Stanton replied:
Yep, credit where credit is due.
Comment posted by AxelTC, at 21:13 29 Nov 2022
That norwich striker, Sergeant I think, he works so hard off the ball. Absolutely no chance that penalty was given, it would have been an utter disgrace! Players should be given harsher punishments for diving and playing the referee.
Reply posted by TonyB, at 21:39 29 Nov 2022
TonyB replied:
Two very mediocre teams. Wales must be very disappointed to finish below them.
Comment posted by Summers , at 21:08 29 Nov 2022
Well done USA, best of luck in next round 👍
Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 21:27 29 Nov 2022
Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
USA needs to find it's scoring touch if it wants to progress any further. One goal a game will not cut it anymore.
Comment posted by Prak, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022
US vs Netherlands is fair game, could go either way. Netherlands are flaky.
Reply posted by _____, at 22:38 29 Nov 2022
_____ replied:
gakpo on fire, will put out US next round
Comment posted by Green Oak Tree, at 22:31 29 Nov 2022
Both sets of players were a credit to their respective countries. The match was played in a great spirit.
Reply posted by _____, at 23:00 29 Nov 2022
_____ replied:
probably only decent comment so far
Comment posted by Bardia Taeei, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022
Well done USA. They are very deffo one of the more athletic teams I have watched. If iran had turned up in the first half like they did in the second the result may have been a little different.
Reply posted by Arch Stanton, at 21:37 29 Nov 2022
Arch Stanton replied:
Agree. Iran played for the draw to start with. It cost them.
Comment posted by Tigger10, at 21:20 29 Nov 2022
I watched this game through 1 eye on the computer as there was doubt about who would progress right to the last minute. The game did not disappoint. Congratulations to USA to making it through
Reply posted by BethnalExpat, at 00:12 30 Nov 2022
BethnalExpat replied:
I also watched on a split screen and was so impressed with the young captain Tyler Adams .... Leeds United, Appreciate what you have .... He is going to be a mega star in the next decade.
Comment posted by Hi, at 21:11 29 Nov 2022
This USA team is so fit
Reply posted by redwhiteandermblue, at 21:16 29 Nov 2022
redwhiteandermblue replied:
Their strength tends to be fast, fit players. When they've got their act together they are good to watch and can give good teams a run for their money. But they'll need more attacking quality to get further.
Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 21:09 29 Nov 2022
Well done USA. Great to see Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic playing so well in the World Cup.
Good luck to the team at the next stage.
Reply posted by Mac, at 22:42 29 Nov 2022
Mac replied:
Eh no.He is a journeyman like all professionals. Nowt to do with Celtic.
Comment posted by Essextim, at 21:19 29 Nov 2022
Over the whole game USA deserved the win but the last half hour they looked quite panicky at times and a far cry from the side we played...vital they have Pulisic fit to play Holland
Reply posted by El_Capitan, at 22:01 29 Nov 2022
El_Capitan replied:
Exactly. That was down to Berhalter's poor defensive substitutions toward the end of the match, which invited pressure from Iran. Still scratching the head, wondering why Gio Reyna was not subbed in. They hired a set piece coach but we're also yet to see them score off set pieces.
Comment posted by D1690544647152, at 21:13 29 Nov 2022
Good. Queiroz was doing my head in.
Reply posted by Shaandaar service, at 23:13 29 Nov 2022
Shaandaar service replied:
Just for speaking the truth?
Comment posted by CastorTroy, at 21:08 29 Nov 2022
Super Pulisic
Reply posted by Blue Billion Pound Bottle Jobs, at 22:40 29 Nov 2022
Blue Billion Pound Bottle Jobs replied:
Pity Chelsea don't think so.
Comment posted by the peoples poet, at 21:08 29 Nov 2022
The world cup minnows fought hard but still finished bottom.
Iran did ok though....
Reply posted by Spilled-wine-on-costly-sofa, at 21:12 29 Nov 2022
Spilled-wine-on-costly-sofa replied:
How have Iran not won this game? Football so unfair! Better team lost! I hope the USA go out in the round!
Comment posted by ChaseWolf, at 21:34 29 Nov 2022
This was a meeting between two nations with a difficult relationship.

Understatement of the Century there from the BBC :)
Reply posted by Oscar Orwell, at 10:15 30 Nov 2022
Oscar Orwell replied:
It’s good that many football fans can focus on the football without being burdened with the injustice of nations conduct.
Sports washing clearly doesn’t work.
A lot of cash for three games…!
Comment posted by okokok, at 21:56 29 Nov 2022
Pleased that the Leeds United players are having a great World Cup. All the best for the next round.
Reply posted by Oscar Orwell, at 10:19 30 Nov 2022
Oscar Orwell replied:
Iran was sunk by England result, then Bail let them of the hook and USA had to work hard to send them home. Better luck next time lads.
Comment posted by All the world is a stage , at 21:21 29 Nov 2022
I didn’t think that US goal just before half time was off side. Was it?
Reply posted by GeorgiaDad, at 21:32 29 Nov 2022
GeorgiaDad replied:
It didn't look that way.
Comment posted by reggid, at 21:50 29 Nov 2022
A nice win by the US under immense pressure to get the result. Still don’t understand the point of VAR if you going to use it review every obvious dive, but not use to review the disallowed second goal for the U.S. Every replay and image I’ve seen appears to show he was onside, and the goal should have counted.
Reply posted by jim, at 22:09 29 Nov 2022
jim replied:
agree 100%

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Netherlands	3	2	1	0	5	1	4	7
2	Senegal	3	2	0	1	5	4	1	6
3	Ecuador	3	1	1	1	4	3	1	4
4	Qatar	3	0	0	3	1	7	-6	0

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Poland	2	1	1	0	2	0	2	4
2	Argentina	2	1	0	1	3	2	1	3
3	Saudi Arabia	2	1	0	1	2	3	-1	3
4	Mexico	2	0	1	1	0	2	-2	1

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	France	2	2	0	0	6	2	4	6
2	Australia	2	1	0	1	2	4	-2	3
3	Denmark	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1
4	Tunisia	2	0	1	1	0	1	-1	1

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Spain	2	1	1	0	8	1	7	4
2	Japan	2	1	0	1	2	2	0	3
3	Costa Rica	2	1	0	1	1	7	-6	3
4	Germany	2	0	1	1	2	3	-1	1

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Croatia	2	1	1	0	4	1	3	4
2	Morocco	2	1	1	0	2	0	2	4
3	Belgium	2	1	0	1	1	2	-1	3
4	Canada	2	0	0	2	1	5	-4	0

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Brazil	2	2	0	0	3	0	3	6
2	Switzerland	2	1	0	1	1	1	0	3
3	Cameroon	2	0	1	1	3	4	-1	1
4	Serbia	2	0	1	1	3	5	-2	1

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Portugal	2	2	0	0	5	2	3	6
2	Ghana	2	1	0	1	5	5	0	3
3	South Korea	2	0	1	1	2	3	-1	1
4	Uruguay	2	0	1	1	0	2	-2	1

USA hold out to clinch last-16 spot

Iran

Avg

USA

Avg

Line-ups

Iran

Substitutes

USA

Substitutes

Match Stats

Live Text

Comments

Join the conversation

Comment posted by redwhiteandermblue, at 21:09 29 Nov 2022redwhiteandermblue

Reply posted by forsta, at 21:20 29 Nov 2022forsta

Comment posted by rothwelljohn, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022rothwelljohn

Reply posted by National football team of Aruba, at 21:16 29 Nov 2022National football team of Aruba

Comment posted by the peoples poet, at 21:10 29 Nov 2022the peoples poet

Comment posted by NM, at 21:11 29 Nov 2022NM

Reply posted by Arch Stanton, at 21:34 29 Nov 2022Arch Stanton

Comment posted by AxelTC, at 21:13 29 Nov 2022AxelTC

Reply posted by TonyB, at 21:39 29 Nov 2022TonyB

Comment posted by Summers , at 21:08 29 Nov 2022Summers

Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 21:27 29 Nov 2022Lets Agree To Disagree

Comment posted by Prak, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022Prak

Reply posted by _____, at 22:38 29 Nov 2022_____

Comment posted by Green Oak Tree, at 22:31 29 Nov 2022Green Oak Tree

Reply posted by _____, at 23:00 29 Nov 2022_____

Comment posted by Bardia Taeei, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022Bardia Taeei

Reply posted by Arch Stanton, at 21:37 29 Nov 2022Arch Stanton

Comment posted by Tigger10, at 21:20 29 Nov 2022Tigger10

Reply posted by BethnalExpat, at 00:12 30 Nov 2022BethnalExpat

Comment posted by Hi, at 21:11 29 Nov 2022Hi

Reply posted by redwhiteandermblue, at 21:16 29 Nov 2022redwhiteandermblue

Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 21:09 29 Nov 2022Wee Brian

Reply posted by Mac, at 22:42 29 Nov 2022Mac

Comment posted by Essextim, at 21:19 29 Nov 2022Essextim

Reply posted by El_Capitan, at 22:01 29 Nov 2022El_Capitan

Comment posted by D1690544647152, at 21:13 29 Nov 2022D1690544647152

Reply posted by Shaandaar service, at 23:13 29 Nov 2022Shaandaar service

Comment posted by CastorTroy, at 21:08 29 Nov 2022CastorTroy

Reply posted by Blue Billion Pound Bottle Jobs, at 22:40 29 Nov 2022Blue Billion Pound Bottle Jobs

Comment posted by the peoples poet, at 21:08 29 Nov 2022the peoples poet

Reply posted by Spilled-wine-on-costly-sofa, at 21:12 29 Nov 2022Spilled-wine-on-costly-sofa

Comment posted by ChaseWolf, at 21:34 29 Nov 2022ChaseWolf

Reply posted by Oscar Orwell, at 10:15 30 Nov 2022Oscar Orwell

Comment posted by okokok, at 21:56 29 Nov 2022okokok

Reply posted by Oscar Orwell, at 10:19 30 Nov 2022Oscar Orwell

Comment posted by All the world is a stage , at 21:21 29 Nov 2022All the world is a stage

Reply posted by GeorgiaDad, at 21:32 29 Nov 2022GeorgiaDad

Comment posted by reggid, at 21:50 29 Nov 2022reggid

Reply posted by jim, at 22:09 29 Nov 2022jim

Scores, Results & Fixtures

Tuesday 29th November 2022

Group A

Group B

As It Stood

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

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Comment posted by redwhiteandermblue, at 21:09 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by forsta, at 21:20 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by rothwelljohn, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by National football team of Aruba, at 21:16 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by the peoples poet, at 21:10 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by NM, at 21:11 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by Arch Stanton, at 21:34 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by AxelTC, at 21:13 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by TonyB, at 21:39 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by Summers , at 21:08 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 21:27 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by Prak, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by _____, at 22:38 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by Green Oak Tree, at 22:31 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by _____, at 23:00 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by Bardia Taeei, at 21:14 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by Arch Stanton, at 21:37 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by Tigger10, at 21:20 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by BethnalExpat, at 00:12 30 Nov 2022

Comment posted by Hi, at 21:11 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by redwhiteandermblue, at 21:16 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 21:09 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by Mac, at 22:42 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by Essextim, at 21:19 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by El_Capitan, at 22:01 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by D1690544647152, at 21:13 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by Shaandaar service, at 23:13 29 Nov 2022

Comment posted by CastorTroy, at 21:08 29 Nov 2022

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Comment posted by ChaseWolf, at 21:34 29 Nov 2022

Reply posted by Oscar Orwell, at 10:15 30 Nov 2022

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Reply posted by Oscar Orwell, at 10:19 30 Nov 2022

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