At the same time politically and decisive sportingly symbolism, this match B match leaned in favor of the Americans (1-0). A victory synonymous with qualification in the next round for the USA team.
by Florian Lefèvre (with AFP)
Iran and United States: the two countries have conflicting relations. The chance of the draw of the 2022 World Cup wanted their football teams to be opposed Tuesday, November 29 on the sports field, that of the Al-Thumama stadium, in Doha, in Qatar. Twenty-four years after the “Fraternity match”, which had turned at the time in favor of Iran (2-1), at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, during the 1998 World Cup, it was this time the States- United which came out victorious, thanks to a goal from Christian Pulisic. A victory synonymous with qualification for the knockout stages for the USA team.
In the other match in the group, England easily disposed of Wales (3-0), ending in first place in the group (with 7 points). Second, the Americans (5 points) will find in the next round the Netherlands, Saturday December 3, at 4 p.m., at the International Stade in Khalifa, in Doha. For Iran (3 points), this is a sixth elimination in the first round in as many participations.
Before the last day, the four teams in the group were still in the race for qualification. Unlike their evening opponents, the United States had to prevail to qualify. On the momentum of an encouraging draw against the English, during the second day, the players of Gregg Berhalter quickly took the game on their own, by putting intensity in their actions. The first period was one -way. After ninety seconds of play, a breakthrough by Christian Pulisic, in the axis, sets the tone.
Superb lobé ball
The Americans then multiplied the dangerous situations, in particular through Timothy Weah, but their clumsiness in the last pass or the impeccable defense of the Iranians delayed the deadline. Christian Pulisic failed the head (11
At the origin of the action: a superb in -depth lobal ball from Weston McKennie, the midfielder of Juventus, on Sergino Dest who put back from the head in the area. Christian Pulisic, who arrived in the middle of the race, pushed the ball into the nets, but violently hit the Iranian goalkeeper. The scorer injured the action and did not return to the field in the second period.
Iran, which was imperative to equalize to win his ticket for the next round, tried to pack the game too late. The first shot of Tim-e Melli intervened only in 52 e minute… and the USA team knew how to make the round back to contain the Iranian attacks at the end of the match and validate its qualification.
The Iranians, who had not sang their national anthem in the first match, in support of the demonstrators, this time sanging him normally – under the strong “insistence” of their authorities. On the field of the Al-Thumama stadium, of Doha, the two teams have shown no political message.
For more than two months, in Iran, men and women have been demonstrating to show their disagreement with the conservative regime in power. A movement of dispute repressed in the blood by Tehran. At the origin of this uprising: the assassination, on September 16, of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish girl, killed by the police of manners who judged the wearing of her inappropriate veil.