The biggest sporting event in the world continues with the Group B USA v Iran clash that sounds like it should be nasty for non footballing reasons, but on the pitch is a game that will see at least one of the these make the knockout stage.
With so many games and so little time, our Group B USA v Iran Match Centre tries to sum it all up as quickly as possible before and after the game and with just a hint of cynicism. If you wanted professional and/or good you’d be on the BBC website, not here. Essentially, we watch and follow the game so you don’t have to.
With answers to the key questions prior to the match and our Minutes that Mattered summary and stats post game, it is a real Who Cares guide to the 2022 World Cup for the person on the go.
Enjoy the Group B USA v Iran Match Centre.
KICKOFF – WEDNESDAY 29TH NOV – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)
Group B USA v Iran Match Summary
USA have claimed second spot in Group B after defeating Iran which became a straight H2H shoot out for the knockout stages.
Only one goal was needed to separate the two rivals, and that was scored by Christian Pulisic just before half time.
Their reward is a Round of 16 clash with Netherlands.
Final Score
USA 1
Christian Pulisic 38′
IRAN 0
HT USA 1-0
Player of the Match
Tyler Adams
Group B USA v Iran Match Stats
Group B USA v Iran Starting Teams
USA (4-3-3)
1 Turner
2 Dest
20 Carter-Vickers
13 Ream
5 Robinson
6 Musah
4 Adams
8 McKennie
21 Weah
24 Sargent
10 Pulisic
IRAN (4-4-1-1)
1 Beyranvand
23 Rezaeian
19 Hosseini
8 Pouraliganji
5 Mohammadi
17 Gholizadeh
6 Ezatolahi
21 Noorollahi
3 Hajisafi
9 Taremi
20 Azmoun
Group B USA v Iran Match Preview
Why should you care?
Because the USA play some pretty decent football, so always worth a look.
But most of all, it is the situation in Group B that is the main reason to care. A win for either sees them through to knockout stage. A draw makes things quite complicated and reliant on other results. With both Group B games going at once it should be a sleep defying.
Finally, who knows if a certain ex President doesn’t weigh in with opinion via social media.
Who should you care about?
Christian Pulisic has been one of USA’s best in the two games so far, and he needs to be at his best to help drag his team into the Group Stages.
Full 2022 World Cup Squads & Stats
Is there a barely interesting fact?
Iran have won the only clash between these in a World Cup. Iran won 2-1 when it happened at the 1998 World Cup.
USA are winless (D1 L1) in World Cup games v Asian nations. Iran are W1 L1 against CONCACAF nations.
Who will win?
USA 1 Iran 1
Full 2022 World Cup Predictions
How Does the Group Stand?
Table: Team/Played/Points/GoalsScored/Goals Against/GoalDifference
| England | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Iran | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -2 |
| USA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wales | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
Group B USA v Iran Match Review
Minutes that Mattered
Welcome to the briefest of match summaries, like a minute by minute except one that has only the minutes that matter.
Stay tuned after the match.
Group B USA v Iran Match Stats
Coming after the match.
