Pulisic decides and United States eliminate Iran in Qatar Cup

Thanks to a goal by Pulisic, the United States defeated Iran by 1-0, this Tuesday afternoon (29) at Al Thumama Stadium, and secured themselves in the round of 16 of the Qatar Cup. The Americans advanced after achieving the second best campaign in Group B of the competition. USA are through to the knockouts! 🇺🇸@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 29, 2022 The Iranians, meanwhile, failed to achieve an unprecedented feat, surpassing the group stage for the first time in their fifth participation in a World Cup. In the match that was considered one of the main ones in the first phase of the competition because it involved two countries that have been under tension for more than 40 years, since the Islamic Revolution, with the rupture of diplomatic relations, what prevailed was good football. Needing a victory to advance to the round of 16, the Americans started the match with a more proactive attitude, maintaining more possession of the ball, exchanging passes in the middle of Iran’s field and looking for spaces to finish. Team Melli, on the other hand, closed behind, abusing a strong marking that sometimes led to violent bids. In a very intense confrontation in the middle of the field, the first shot on goal came just after 10 minutes, when Musah lifted the ball in the area, where the number 10 Pulisic headed it to a defense without difficulty by goalkeeper Beiranvand. Six minutes later the Americans arrived again with danger. Dest advanced on the right wing and crossed low, hard, for Beiranvand to remove with a punch and prevent Pulisic’s submission. Iran, on the other hand, limited itself to waiting in defense for a good opportunity to advance quickly on the counterattack. At 27 Pulisic played for Sargent, who hit hard to cut the Iranian defense. The ball gained height and Weah arrived with a header, but Beiranvand defended well. Five minutes later, it was Weah who posed the danger, hitting hard from inside the area, but the ball went over Iran’s goal. And, after trying so hard, the Americans managed to open the scoring in the 37th minute. McKennie launched Dest on the right wing and the full-back headed towards the middle of the area, where Pulisic arrived with a first-time support. This was the Chelsea (England) player’s first goal in a World Cup. The detail is that the number 10 of the United States ended up clashing very hard with the goalkeeper Beiranvand in the bid and ended up not celebrating his goal. Advantage USA 💥#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/oZtP20JSRE — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 29, 2022 With the disadvantage on the scoreboard, the Iranians started to position themselves more advanced on the pitch. As a result, the United States managed to find more spaces to counterattack, such as six minutes into added time, when Weah received a long launch and hit the goalkeeper’s exit to put it in the bottom of the goal. But the bid was annulled by the Spanish judge Antonio Mateu due to the striker’s irregular position. But the fact is that the initial stage was dominated by the American team, who had 58% of ball possession and finished eight times, while Team Melli did not hit the goal. On return from the break, the United States had to let go of its technical leader, Pulisic, who was unable to recover from the shock he suffered when he scored the goal. The second half started with Iran risking more, and reached the goal for the first time in the 7th minute, when Razaeian crossed in the area for Ghoddos to head out. At 19, Team Melli arrived again with danger, when Gholizadeh took advantage of the ball and crossed low. Taremi couldn’t finish and Ghoddos tapped violently, but out. Time passed and Iran’s despair grew. Team Melli then made use of an old strategy to try to reverse the score, lifting balls in the opposing team’s area. But the idea proved to be ineffective in the face of the secure American defense. And the best opportunity came in the additions. In the 47th minute, when Razaeian took a free kick and Pouraliganji headed it in with a lot of danger. Now, the North Americans (who passed in second place in Group B) face the Netherlands, first in Group A, starting at 12h (Brasília time) next Saturday (3) at the Khalifa International Stadium.


Agência Brasil