48
20:57
Mid-term conclusion:
The USA lead in the decisive group game against Iran 1:0 at half time and are currently in the round of 16 of the World Cup! The US boys quickly took control of the game against the Iranians, who had been very defensive up to now, in the first round, but rarely created scoring chances against the Iranians’ compact defence. However, Team USA found a gap in the 38th minute: Dest put the header on for Pulišić, who put the US boys on course for the round of 16 with his 1-0 goal. Will the Iranians hit back straight away or will the US boys go through to the knockout stage?
45
20:52
Offside hit in stoppage time! Weah takes the ball with him at 45 + 6 minutes on the edge of the sixteen and pushes the ball from the left against the right inner post and into the goal. However, the American is very delicately offside. Lucky for Iran, it stays at 0:1!
45
20:49
In injury time, Iran has to change at short notice. Mohammadi remains injured after a tackle and is now replaced by Karimi.
45
20:48
Ali Karimi comes on for Iran
45
20:48
Substitution for Iran with Milad Mohammadi
45
20:46
Official injury time (minutes): 5
45
20:46
Shortly before the break, the USA missed the 0:2! Weah, Pulisic and Sargent overrun the Rians in a counterattack and even outnumber them. Sargent crosses the ball through for Weah but misses the moment to finish.
43
20:44
Yellow card for Tyler Adams (USA)
Adams pulls a foul for tactical reasons and sees the first yellow card of the game.
42
20:44
So far it is unclear whether Pulišić can continue or not. The American probably wants to struggle through until half-time and is currently dragging himself across the pitch.
40
20:42
One of the Americans can’t really be happy about the goal: the goal scorer. Pulišić injured his thigh when he was hit and even had to be treated outside. The US is currently only ten.
38
20:38
Tooor for USA, 0:1 by Christian Pulišić
Now the US boys are rewarded with the 1:0! After an opening ball from McKennie, Dest prepares perfectly with his head in the right corner of the sixteen and lays down on the run. Pulišić runs in from the middle and gets the ball over the line from close range.
36
20:37
Will it be a waiting game for the US boys? Around ten minutes before half-time, the USA are significantly better, but still rarely develop a real goal threat. The shots on goal are now 0:6.
33
20:35
Next attack by the USA, but again it won’t be particularly dangerous. Sargent stops the ball from the air in the right five-corner with his heel and then lays it down to the right. Weah then takes a volley and shoots the ball well over the goal.
32
20:33
Quick all-clear: After a round of cooling with the well-known ice spray, Nourollahi can continue playing.
31
20:32
Will Iran have to leave due to injury? Ahmad Nourollahi runs into a losing solo, running into Carter-Vickers in the United States penalty area. After that, the Iranian needs treatment.
30
20:30
Now Dest is trying it from afar! The US boys’ right-back comes in from the right in front of the penalty area and, as he falls, chases the ball into the feet of the Iranian defence.
28
20:29
There was more in it! Sargent initially gets stuck on a shot, after which the blocked ball lands directly at Weah. The attacker from LOSC Lille closes too hastily and heads the ball on goal without pressure and without being dangerous.
27
20:27
In the USA, the next wave of attacks will come down the right flank. So far, the very good approaches are still missing the final pass and conclusion.
25
20:25
The Iranians are almost exclusively occupied with defensive work. Relief is only provided by liberation strikes, which should then ideally land at Azmoun or Taremi.
23
20:23
The US boys are superior in terms of play. The right side in particular via Weah, Dest and the variable Pulisic is always the starting point for good attacks.
20
20:22
Counterattack by the Iranians! Taremi hits a long shot from within himself and is suddenly almost free in front of the goal. However, the Iranian loses the decisive duel with Ream, in which Azmoun is also free.
19
20:19
Missed the chance! McKennie leads the ball directly in front of the Iranian sixteen and has a long time for a long-range shot. However, the American hesitates too long and finally stumbles the ball.
17
20:18
dangerous! Sergiño Dest swings in another cross down the right wing and delivers the ball low and hard in front of goal. Beiranvand has to come out and wipes the ball out of harm’s way with one hand.
16
20:16
Iran is currently taking over the Bell. Team Melli pushes the ball through their own ranks, but does not gain any space. At the latest shortly after the middle line it is over.
13.
20:15
In the first 15 minutes or so, the Americans have been much more active so far. However, the Iranians can fend off the first attempts to attack without any problems and tend to look for their chances in moments of transition.
11.
20:12
Another small opportunity for the USA: Pulisic jumps up from a high cross from the right in the box and heads the ball into Beiranvand’s arms.
9.
20:10
The US boys are back on the ball and also try a cross from the outside. When Dest crossed in, Iran’s goalkeeper Beiranvand had problems and punched the ball too short into the sixteen. Weah then gets a shot on goal, but misses from the second row.
6.
20:07
Now follows the first advance of the Iranians! Azmoun can’t be separated from the ball in the United States penalty area and, after going it alone, serves teammate Rezaeian next to him. The right-back then hits a sharp cross, which is a bit too steep and only flies out of the goal.
4.
20:04
The Americans get off to a better start. Gregg Berhalter’s eleven took possession of the ball and started the game in the Iranian half.
2.
20:03
First attack of the US boys! Pulisic grabs the ball in midfield and tries a quick solo through the center. Shortly before the sixteen, the former Dortmunder gets stuck and also misses a pass for the free Sargent.
1.
20:01
The showdown is on! USA or Iran – who will make it to the round of 16? The coming 90 minutes + X will tell us!
19:58
What are the Iranians doing today with their anthem? They sing along. Some players are a little louder, others are more reserved. But there is no renewed protest.
19:54
The game will be played tonight at Al Thumama Stadium. The ranks seem to be well filled, so far only a few free seats can be seen.
19:46
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz changes his goalkeeper for the group final: Instead of Hossein Hosseini, Alireza Beiranvand is between the posts today.
19:44
In terms of personnel, Coach Berhalter has made two changes compared to the 0-0 win against England: Central defender Carter-Vickers and former Bremen player Sargent are new to Team USA.
19:40
For the Americans, however, the starting position in Group B is much more difficult: The first win is needed, otherwise the US boys are out. So far, Team USA has drawn against England (0-0) and Wales (1-1). Similar to the Iranians, the preparation of the US boys in the run-up to the game was a balancing act between politics and sport. At the press conference, US coach Gregg Berhalter was asked not only to answer sporting questions but also to estimate the percentage of viewers around the world who would be happy if the Iranians won. Berhalter’s answer was clear: “For us, it’s a football game against a good team – nothing more,” said the American coach.
19:26
It remains to be seen how well the Iranians can concentrate on sports in this extraordinary situation. After the surprising and late 2-0 win against Wales, the Iranians are going into the group final stronger and have their fate in their own hands: Iran would definitely go through with a win. One point would probably be enough if England didn’t lose too much to Wales at the same time. Only an English defeat by six goals would mean the end for Iran.
19:10
There is enormous pressure on the Iran national football team today. On the one hand, the Iranians could write football history and get through the group stage for the first time ever at a World Cup. On the other hand, the heavy protests in Iran are continuing and are pushing Team Melli back into the global spotlight. In addition, a football match between Iran and the USA is always politically explosive.
18:54
Hello and welcome to the showdown in Group B: At 8 p.m. there will be a decisive duel between Iran and the USA. Who will make it into the round of 16?