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USA send Iran packing with 1-0 victory to qualify for round of 16

USA send Iran packing with 1-0 victory to qualify for round of 16

Caitlin Dillon

The USA secured a 1-0 win to qualify to the last-16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, sending Iran home in dramatic fashion.

Christian Pulisic converted Sergino Dest's header seven minutes before half-time to score the all-important winner - potentially at great expense, as he collided with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and was subbed off at half time as a result.

It was a match with lots at stake as both teams had a chance to seal a place in the knockout stages. But Iran, who could have settled for a draw, didn’t have a single shot on target.

They had multiple chances in the second half, with their best happening during stoppage time when Morteza Pouraliganji latched onto a free-kick with a diving header that went just wide.

A late penalty appeal gave the swathes of Iranian fans at Al Thumama Stadium a final glimpse of hope after Mehdi Taremi came down in the box, but it was quickly dampened when their appeals were rejected by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.

Iran exit their sixth World Cup with a huge sense of disappointment, having still never qualified for the knockout rounds - however this time there was just a single goal required. The USA, meanwhile, have landed a place in the last-16 for the third time in four tournaments.

Group B end the group stages with England at the top on 7 points, while The USA sit in second place on five points. Iran and Wales bow out of the competition, sitting in third place with three points, and fourth place with one point, respectively.

The USA will now face the Netherlands in the Round of 16 on Saturday night at 6pm at Khalifa International Stadium in the tournament’s first round of 16 match.