USA beat Iran to reach last 16 stage

DOHA: The United Slates beat Iran 1·0 in a battle of geopolitical foes to reach the knockout phase of the World Cup on Tuesday wh ile England cased through against Wales.

The Americans earned a sec· ond round meeting with the Netherlands after Christian Pulisic bundled the ba ll into the net in the 38th minute ofan absorbing contest in Do ha.

Only the third international meeti ngofthe bitter ideological riva ls had been marked by a bad-tempered build· up.

lran·s Football Federation had on Sunday demanded that FIFA punish US Soccer for post· ing a mod ified version of their counlly's flag on social med ia.

Meanwhile the Iran team's every move in Qatar has been scrutinised for signs the players are showing support for mass

nti·govcrnmcnt protests that have shaken the Islamic republic.

On Tuesday, having opted not to do so in their opening match, the Iranian players did sing the national anthem, albeit without much enthusiasm. in the highly· cha rged atmosphere of the AI

umama Stadium. There was

lt~hcartcd about the Iranians· performance though, but the Americans we re deserved winners after digging deep fo r the victory.

"The dream is over," Iran coach Carlos Quciroz said. "Unfortunately football always punishes the team thatdocsn·t score:·

Reflecting the fact that the game was about more than sport, US President Joe Biden had wrapped up a speech on the economy in Michiga n, but returned to the stage to tell the crowd: ·The US one, Iran zero! The game·s over!"

England beat Wales

England·s task was easier, as they swept past Wales 3-0 to win Group Band set up a meeting with Senegal on Sunday.

After an uneventful first half in the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadi um, Marcus Rashford and Phi! Foden pounced in the space of rwo second-half minutes to effectively end th e contest.

Manchester United forvvard Rashford then added his second goa l of the night to ensure Wales· first involvement in World Cup finals since 1958 ended in disappointment

·This is what I play football for, the biggest moments, the best moments:· Rashford