The US advanced to the last-16 with a win over Iran, while Lionel Messi must fight to get Argentina out of Group C. Here’s the latest from Qatar.
Groups A and B came to an end Tuesday with four teams advancing to the last-16… you may have seen the United States defeat Iran? Maybe? Just checking. Wednesday, meanwhile, sees Groups C and D conclude and every option from group winner to early exit is on the table for Lionel Messi and Argentina. No pressure, then.
Be sure to check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Qatar. Here’s what you might have missed from Tuesday’s World Cup happenings, and a look ahead to what’s next on Wednesday.
– World Cup news, features, previews and more
– Stream FC Daily and Futbol Americas on ESPN+
Tuesday’s conclusion to Group B was full of drama and tension, as it had been in the days leading up to the game, but when the dust settled following two pulsating games, England topped Group B with a rather routine 3-0 win over Wales… AND THE UNITED STATES BEAT IRAN 1-0 TO ADVANCE TO THE ROUND OF 16!
That’s the only result you came here for, right?
In the end, Christian Pulisic’s brave, close-range finish (more on him in a minute) proved enough to beat Team Melli, though the US were clearly on top for much of the match in a welcome change to their draws against the Welsh and the Three Lions.
Tyler Adams anchored the midfield in concert with Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah, rarely allowing Iran a chance to settle in possession. Matt Turner made some big saves when called upon, the defense of Tim Ream and Cameron Carter-Vickers held firm in their first time playing together, and Tim Weah had a goal disallowed for offside at the end of the first half that would have made for a much more comfortable viewing experience.
As for Pulisic, he came off second-best in a heavy collision with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand while scoring the game’s only goal in the 38th minute. After medical treatment on the sideline — US Soccer later informed the media he’d been taken to hospital for “abdominal scans” — he gamely re-entered the game to close out the first half, but was substituted at half-time given the extent of his injury. His status is one to watch heading towards Saturday’s last-16 clash against Group A winners, the Netherlands, especially if the injury proves serious enough to keep him sidelined.
But enough about that for now: the mood, and the vibes, in the US camp are sky-high following their deserved advancement to the knockout stages. (Weah even had a lovely rendezvous with his family, including father George, also the president of Liberia, after the game.) From here, truly anything can happen. In a World Cup that saw Saudi Arabia beat Argentina and Japan stun Germany, there are still plenty of shocks to come over the coming weeks in Qatar.
(Because we mentioned it, two goals from Marcus Rashford and one from Phil Foden were more than enough to keep England top of Group B with a rout of Wales, with all the strikes coming after half-time. Gareth Bale was withdrawn by Wales manager Rob Page at half-time, and their tournament is over. England face Senegal on Sunday in their last-16 clash.)
But enough about the English: it’s party time in the USA for a few days. Just remember to get some rest: Gregg Berhalters side kick off against the Dutch at 10am ET on Saturday.
The incandescent Lionel Messi’s task is simple: score goals, be a menace up front and help Argentina advance out of Group C. Every option is on the table for the Albicelestes, who haven’t missed out on the knockout rounds since 2002.
Basically (though click here for every possible permutation and tie-breaker) the situation is as follows:
Guaranteed to qualify with a win vs. Poland, and will do so as group winners if Saudi Arabia draw/lose.
If Argentina draw, they are guaranteed to qualify if Saudi Arabia-Mexico draw.
If Argentina draw and Saudi Arabia win, Argentina are out (Saudi Arabia and Poland qualify.)
If they lose, they go home early and given that Messi said pre-tournament that this would be his last World Cup, that’s hardly how he’ll want to go out. That said, Poland (who currently top Group C with four points from two games) are no slouches and given that their all-world striker Robert Lewandowski finally broke his scoring drought at the World Cup with a late blast to defeat Saudi Arabia, they will be highly motivated to pull off a shock of their own.
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