FIFA World Cup: Christian Pulisic strikes as USA eliminate Iran 

Thirty-eight minutes in, Christian Pulisic netted from close range before smashing into the goalkeeper and writhing in pain. Diagnosed with a pelvic contusion, he was replaced at the break.

The goal was Christian Pulisic's 22nd in 55 international matches. Weston McKennie passed the ball to Sergiño Dest deep on the right side. Dest headed it towards Christian Pulisic, who launched an urgent volley that propelled him and the ball forward.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After the USMNT win, Antonee Robinson hugged and showed solace to several Iran players. Respect ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/hcQ2VVvsHp">pic.twitter.com/hcQ2VVvsHp</a></p>&mdash; USMNT Only (@usmntonly) <a href="https://twitter.com/usmntonly/status/1597814982900523008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The second half was a close contest, with the Iranians pushing hard and the Americans trying to retain their lead. USA head coach Gregg Berhalter made two lineup changes - centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers replaced Walker Zimmerman and striker Josh Sargent reclaimed his spot in the starting lineup. 

Although the Americans created multiple opportunities in the first half, Iran flooded the attacking zone, leaving small pockets of space for the opponents.

However, their strategy backfired when Christian Pulisic scored. Iran then increased their pace, hoping to erase the deficit, but it created even more space for the Americans to use, allowing Tim Weah to almost double the lead.

Iran were desperate to score in the second half as Saman Ghoddos created two opportunities inside the box. During stoppage time, Ramin Rezaeian's header went marginally wide of the near post. A draw would have sealed Iran's spot in the round of 16, but they could not find an equaliser.

"You see how resilient this group is, you see how unified this group is, you see what type of energy and output they put into every single game," Berhalter exclaimed. "That's the American spirit, and the way this group plays, people will appreciate that, especially back home."

Despite USA's remarkable finish, their victory was trivialised by Iran protests, highlighting the decades-long tensions between the two countries. 

Qatar's ournament organisers established radical measures to prevent an uprising over the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in custody on September 16.

Security levels were raised during Iran matches and fans carrying items such as Iran's pre-1979 Islamic revolution flag were barred from stadiums, as per the New York Times, in an attempt to contain political protests.  

A group of protesters held alphabet cutouts of Amini's name among the crowd. Security personnel seized the signs but allowed them to remain seated. 

After the match, there was a scuffle outside the stadium between three guards and a man wearing a t-shirt that read "Women, Life, Freedom," the primary slogan of the protest. 

In another instance, five members of the Russian activist punk group Pussy Riot protested from the stadium stands wearing green balaclavas and t-shirts that stated "Woman Life Freedom." 

On the back, the shirts listed the names of people killed in Iran and their ages. The balaclavas were removed shortly after, and the women were escorted out of the stadium.

The relations between Iran and the US worsened after 2018 when then-President Donald Trump severed a nuclear deal between them. When the nations last competed in the 1998 World Cup, Iran won 2-1.

USA to face Netherlands in FIFA World Cup round of 16

The USA will now encounter the Netherlands in the round of 16 after finishing second in Group B with five points. Meanwhile, the Netherlands finished on top of Group A with seven points.

For the USA, the final group stage match against Iran was a must-win for them, and Christian Pulisic's goal led his side to the knockouts for the seventh time in tournament history.