In a keenly watched encounter at the Qatar World Cup, the United States defeated Iran 1-0, keeping the American team’s hopes of redemption alive.
Iran has never advanced to the knockout phase, in which the initial 32 World Cup nations are reduced to only 16 teams. The men’s squad has, but progressing to the next level is a significant aim after failing to qualify for the previous World Cup four years ago.
To advance to the Round of 16, the United States needed to defeat Iran. On Saturday, the Americans will play the Netherlands.
Iran needed just a stalemate to advance after defeating Wales 2-0 earlier in the game.
Given the hostile US-Iran ties, the bigger tournament ramifications for both teams, and the problems surrounding Iran’s continuing human rights protest movement that have spilled over into Qatar, Tuesday’s match was extensively monitored.
Since Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, died in police custody, hundreds of thousands of Iranians have flocked to the streets in protest. Her killing and the accompanying demonstrations represent the most serious challenge to the authoritarian leadership since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Officials and onlookers were also on the lookout for potential clashes between US and Iranian supporters, as well as between pro-government Iranian fans and those supporting the domestic protest movement. Pro-government supporters allegedly harassed demonstrators outside one of the stadiums earlier in the tournament.
On Tuesday, groups of friendly US and Iranian supporters yelled at each other outside Al Thumama Stadium before the game. A significant security presence was visible to those entering the stadium to witness the game, possibly discouraging any clashes.
The stadium’s approximately 44,000 spectators filled the air with a cacophony of noise and applause as soon as the game began, giving the impression that twice as many people were in attendance.
Christian Pulisic of the United States squad scored the game’s sole goal in the 38th minute, charging (quite literally) towards the net and sacrificing his own body in the process. The goal temporarily energised the fans, but it quickly died down as Pulisic fought to get up and was finally assisted off the field.
With an abdominal injury, he was forced to leave the game and was replaced by Brenden Aaronson.