The English finish top of the group, with seven points, after two victories, against the Iranians and the Welsh, and a draw, against the Americans. The United States have five points, and are also undefeated, with a victory and two draws, against the English and the Welsh. In the round of 16, the English will face Senegal, second in group A, on Sunday, while the Americans will meet the Netherlands, who dominated this same group A, on Saturday.
In the al-Thumama stadium, the meeting United States – Iran promised to take on a highly political stake since the two countries do not maintain diplomatic relations and that Iran is experiencing an unprecedented protest movement repressed in blood by Tehran.
Match with geopolitical stakes
On the sporting level, the stake was also capital since it offered a qualification to the winner for the direct elimination matches and an elimination for the loser.
And it was the Americans who took over with a goal from Pulisic, in the 38th minute, and their revenge after the defeat at the World Cup-98. Despite enormous pressure at the end of the match and especially during more than nine minutes of additional time, the Iranians remained silent. Just before the meeting, the Biden couple had even tweeted their support for the American players: “We believe that we will win”.
Iranian anthem sung
As they had done in the second game, the Iranian players unenthusiastically sang their national anthem before the game. Against England, for their entry into the tournament, they had chosen not to sing their anthem, which had been seen as a sign of support for the victims of the harshly suppressed demonstrations in their country.
In the other match, the English accelerated after a soporific first period and made the difference thanks to their attackers Marcus Rashford twice (50th, 68th) and Phil Foden (51st) against disappointing Welshmen, like their star Gareth Bale, substituted at half-time.