US defeats Iran 1-0

Christian Pulisic propelled the United States into the last 16 of the World Cup on Tuesday as the Americans beat Iran 1-0 in their politically fuelled grudge game. Chelsea star Pulisic curled home with the do-or-die Group B match’s only goal on 38 minutes to arrange a second round clash with Group A victors Netherlands on Saturday.

The build-up to a thrilling smackdown had been observed by accelerating the tension stably, with Iran’s Football Federation on Sunday needing FIFA sanction US Soccer for sharing a modified version of its country’s flag on social media.

But in spite of an enthralling vibe at Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium, Tuesday’s game panned out without controversy as the US avenged its 1998 World Cup defeat to Iran to send the Asian qualifiers thrashing out of the tournament.