Pulisic wins the grudge match, but at what cost?
IF oNlY the Iranians fired as many shots as their journalists. In the build-up to this match, the Americans had to put up the barricades against questions about school massacres, the US fleet in the Persian Gulf, racism and women’s rights.
Their manager Gregg Berhalter was even told his country cared more about inflation rises than his football team. That notion was blown away when his young American side secured a win for the ages last night against surprisingly tepid opponents.
Berhalter sent out the youngest XI of the tournament so far, with an average age of just 24 years and 321 days. Given all that had gone before, it was a bold call but it brought rich rewards.
Many of those on the field were not haunted by the ghosts of 1998, when Iran’s 2-1 victory in a similarly supercharged clash sent the Yanks home from France.
Thanks to Christian Pulisic’s clinical first- half finish — one which led to an injury and saw him substituted at half-time — some resolute second-half defending and no little courage, they banished any chance of a repeat here.
This felt like a coming of age. Twenty million watched the US’s draw with England. You would hope it was even more last night.
If Americans do not fall in love with ‘soccer’ following this seismic victory, then they never will. This is a talented, well- drilled side. They deserve to capture the attention of a nation.
There were boos and jeers from some of those in a huge Iranian contingent when their own anthem was played, with the country in political turmoil following the death in custody of a 22-year-old woman arrested by the morality police. There had been reports the players’ families had been threatened with imprisonment and torture should the squad fail to sing. Unsurprisingly, they sang.
It was also reported Iran’s regime were to send over thousands of ‘actors’ to infiltrate their fans in an attempt at faux unity. They may have been fake, but the noise generated was anything but.
The players emerged to blaring horns and chants of ‘Iran’, with the din punctuated only occasionally by chants of ‘USA’ from an outnumbered but impressive American following.
Those in the minority saw their side dominate a lop-sided first 45 minutes. The only complaint was the number of wasted chances, with Pulisic and Timothy Weah among the culprits. ts.
The fear had been that, for all their heir energy, talent and nd effort, Berhalter’s s bright young g things lacked a cutting edge. But they found it — and given what was at stake, it should have come as no surprise that the e deadlock was as broken by an actt of skill and bravery.
on 38 minutes, es, the excellent Weston McKennie found Sergino Dest at the far post and the full-back’s header across the six-yard boss was met by the incoming Pulisic, who got there first to side-foot into the net before being clattered by the Iranian goalkeeper. Pulisic crumpled to the turf, the stadium volume dropped to the floor and America were on top of the world. Those in all-blue continued to dominate. on the stroke of halftime, Weah thought he had doubled the lead with a neat finish off a post but it was given offside. The replays looked inconclusive but the match carried on with barely a stoppage. Someone in the VAR box must have very good eyesight. With the groggy Pulisic replaced, replaced the Iranians finally came to life, bringingbring the crowd withwit them. Ghoddos,G on as a sub,s headed over fromf close range, delivering a reminder to the Americans that disaster was onlyo a touch away.a
They got another opportunityopp on 64 minutesminu when the same playerp wrapped a foot arouaround a pullback and his shot flew agonisingly wide with Matt Turner in the USA goal beaten.
Iran became more desperate, attacking in numbers and leaving opportunities for the USA on the counter. on more than one occasion, promising breaks were curtailed by clever fouls.
Berhalter stuck five at the back. Time ticked by. The board went up, nine minutes. You could here the groans from Detroit in Doha. Morteza Pouraliganji, on his knees, headed a free-kick wide. Turner missed a cross but Walker Zimmerman hacked clear. The Iranians appealed for a penalty for a phantom shove. Nothing doing.
The whistle blew and the kids were all right.
America go through to face the Netherlands. Iran go home — you fear what may await them.