Hank Steinbrecher was on a bullet train from Marseille to Paris when he got a call from the White House. “We are going to win this game, aren’t we?” the voice on the other side asked Steinbrecher, then US Soccer Federation’s general secretary. It was 1998. “The news is going around the world.” Mohammad Khakpour, too, received a call; not from a high-ranking government official but from the family members of those who had lost their children in the war between Iran and Iraq. “Fathers, mothers called and said this game really does matter to us,” the former Iran defender says in the BBC documentary, ‘The Great Game’. “You have to go and win this game for us.” On paper, it was merely a group-stage match of the World Cup between two teams that had lost their opening matches. But a meeting between two nations who had severed diplomatic relations in 1980 was always going to be much more than a mere game of football. (READ MORE)
Ecuador captain Enner Valencia showed incredible calmness while converting the penalty in the 16th minute during the World Cup opener against Qatar at the Al Bayt on Sunday. He scored his – and Ecuador’s – second 10 minutes later and could’ve had a first-half hat-trick but for a disallowed goal in the third minute.
While on the field the 33-year-old forward has always given an impression being of a man in control of what he’s doing, his life outside football has often been chaotic.
Most (in)famously, he was once chased by police while being carried off the field during Ecuador’s 3-0 win over Chile in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match in Quito. Some reports suggest he faked an injury to avoid being arrested but the video footage of the incident shows Valencia, who played for Premier League side Everton back then, had an oxygen mask put over his face as he was taken to the touchline on a buggy when he was pursued by police officers. (Read More)
Out of the 32 teams, three have qualified for the Round of 16, two have been eliminated while the remaining 27 are still in contention. As the final round of group-stage matches gets underway later on Tuesday, there could be a scenario where two or more teams finish level on points. In such a scenario, FIFA’s rules are well laid out.
According to the governing body’s guidelines for the World Cup, there are various criteria to determine which team will progress into the knockout rounds. (READ MORE)
Netherlands will take on the United States.
England will take on Senegal.
Both games will take place this Saturday.
Emotional scenes for the USMNT here as Iran are flattened.
Iran worked hard, but ultimately did not have the attacking ability to create credible enogh chances to get back in this game. USA were not particularly fluent either, but took their only good opportunity in a first half they dominated. Pulisic's heroics were enough.
Tournament football. It can be ruthless.
IRN 0-1 USA
It's full time at the Al Thumama Stadium.
USA make it!
IRN 0-1 USA
Nearly, so nearly a chance.
Taremi desperately lunged in to get a touch past Turner, but the chance goes begging.
That will be that for Team Melli.
IRN 0-1 USA
Ghoddos and Taremi have struggled with cramp.
USA eating time, in game management mode, in these dying moments.
IRN 0-1 USA
That was the chance!
USA held their breath there as a great set pieece found Karimi's diving header. Went past the near post.
IRN 0-1 USA
Iran need to convert this.
IRN 0-1 USA
Another wasteful pass after winning the ball back in a promising area.
Poor decision-making in a lacklustre performance.
IRN 0-1 USA
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USA have all their players back defending.
A wave of Iran attacks expected over the next 10-odd minutes. Nervy.
IRN 0-1 USA
That was wasteful. Very wasteful.
IRN 0-1 USA
Ezatolahi's ball is overhit and held by Turner.
Pressure building now, Iran stitching some passes together and playing it in midfield.
They need the incisive final ball.
IRN 0-1 USA
A golden opportunity, a brilliant ball in after winning the second ball, Karimi overruns it and can't make contact.
No need for a VAR check for that. Play on.
IRN 0-1 USA
Been more than 10 minutes since Iran have threatened Turner's goal.
They have won a free kick in a promising area, but need to commit more bodies up front.
IRN 0-1 USA
Iran haven't stitched too many meaningful chances together today.
Sargent is getting treatment at the moment but Queiroz's staff are barking instructions, most likely to get his team higher up the pitch.
IRN 0-1 USA
Ezatolahi went for it from a fair way out. Well caught, but didn't quite dip enough to be on target.
IRN 0-1 USA
A comfortable, assured performance is needed from the Americans now, to keep slow possession and take the sting out of any momentum Iran create.
IRN 0-1 USA
Ghoddos couldn't keep it down.
Big chance, fashioned mostly by getting bodies up the pitch. Gholizadeh's ball is missed by Taremi, and Ghoddos' strike goes wide. Foul called on Taremi.
They are banging on the door now.
IRN 0-1 USA
Iran keeping more of the ball now, they have moved the area of contention about 10-15 yards ahead but they still lack incision.
They need to create more in the final half hour now. Both Ghoddos and Taremi have been bright in short sparks.
IRN 0-1 USA
Iran's fans are in full voice now. Driving their team on.
They still need more urgency at the moment.
IRN 0-1 USA
Another darting run from Taremi from the left channel, took on one too many defenders eventually and ran the ball out.
He's having to force the issue single-handedly at times, but there has been space down the wings.
IRN 0-1 USA