USA defeated Iran by 1-0 score. USA qualified for the World Cup knockout stages as Christian Pulisic netted the only goal in a 1-0 win over Iran before the Chelsea winger was taken to hospital injured.
Iran had to go for it after the break and Saman Ghoddos set their intent by driving into the back post from a right-wing cross but headed over the bar. Despite lots of possession, Iran struggled to test USA goalkeeper Matt Turner. The best chance fell to Morteza Pouraliganji, who headed a free-kick agonisingly wide of the post.
Player ratings
Iran: Beiranvand (6), Rezaeian (6), Majid Hosseini (6), Pouraliganji (6), Mohammadi (6), Noorollahi (6), Ezatolahi (6), Hajsafi (6), Gholizadeh (6), Azmoun (6), Taremi (6)
Subs: Karimi (6), Ghoddos (6), Torabi (6), Jalai (6), Ansarifard (6)
USA: Turner (7), Dest (8), Carter-Vickers (7), Ream (7), Robinson (7), McKennie (7), Adams (7), Musah (8), Weah (7), Sargent (8), Pulisic (8)
Subs: Aaronson (7), Acosta (7), Wright (6)
Man of the match: Sergino Dest
Coach Gregg Berhalter said: “He was feeling some dizziness, it was a blow to his abdomen. We FaceTimed him from the hospital and he was in good spirits.”
“I sent him a text and checked on him and he said, ‘Best believe I’ll be ready on Saturday’,”
