Pulisic lauded after getting US through
DOHA: Christian Pulisic was hailed by his teammates on Tuesday after his first-half strike sent the United States through to the World Cup knockout rounds, with the effort landing him in hospital with an abdominal injury.
The Chelsea forward burst into the area and bundled the ball over the line in the 38th minute of Tuesday’s Group B decider against Iran.
But he could not even celebrate the goal as he had injured himself following a collision with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
US coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed Pulisic was injured and sent to hospital as a precaution after feeling dizzy, and said the players had a short video call with him from the dressing room.
“We got to speak to him and he’s in good spirits,” Berhalter told a news conference.
“That’s what he does, that’s the special quality he has and as soon as a goal is wide he goes in with intensity.
“He crashes the box and makes it really difficult for defenders with his change of pace.”
The United States join Group B rivals England in advancing to the round of 16, fielding what was the national team’s youngest ever starting 11 in a mustwin match against a physically tough Iran side.
It was unclear the extent of Pulisic’s injury and whether he could recover in time for Saturday’s match with Group A winners the Netherlands.
US midfielder Weston McKennie commended the work of Pulisic, but said the team were like brothers and any of them would have done the same.
“Obviously we’re very thankful that he threw his body there but the thing is we have 25 other guys aside from Christian who would do the same thing I believe,” he said.
“You see the statue Christian has and that he’s willing to throw his body on the line. That should tell you enough about how close this team is.”
The United States dominated the match but came under pressure late in the game and had to defend resolutely as Iran fought desperately to get an equaliser that would have sent them through to the last 16 for the first time.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said his team deserved at least a draw.
“Football gods bless those who score goals, and unfortunately we didn’t score,” Queiroz said.
“The United States were better than us [in the first half ], more ferocious and faster, and scored a goal, and I was not surprised by that.
“But in the second half the situation changed and we took possession of the ball and created more chances than the United States did in the first half and we deserved to score at least a goal.
“The United States players have the speed and if I may say when you play against Ferraris you need to close the highway, and that’s what we did after the break and we were the better team.”