Late within the first half of Tuesday’ do-or-die match towards Iran, Christian Pulisic got here by way of for the United States, scoring one of many a very powerful objectives in USMNT historical past as he put a move from Sergiño Dest previous Iranian keeper Alireza Beiranvand to present the United States a 1-0 lead.
But as an alternative of wheeling away in celebration, Pulisic remained down on the turf, having crashed into Beiranvand within the effort. Pulisic was ultimately helped off by trainers, and did return to the match, however was subbed off earlier than the second half started.
The United States survived a frenzied second half, and over 9 minutes of stoppage time, preserving the one-goal victory to place them by way of to the knockout stage of the World Cup. Their reward for the trouble? A date with the Netherlands on Saturday.
Now they await phrase on Pulisic’s standing for that match.
Post-match updates
The USMNT launched a fast replace on Pulisic on Tuesday night, indicating that he was “day-to-day” with a pelvic contusion:
A USMNT spokesperson did make clear that Pulisic was already again on the group lodge following a go to to the hospital. On Tuesday evening USMNT social media group posted a video of gamers returning to the group lodge, and receiving a heat welcome for supporters, and Pulisic himself:
The match towards Iran and the damage
Here is one other take a look at Pulisic’s effort, as he put his physique on the road for the go-ahead objective:
This collection of pictures places into context simply what Pulisic did to see the United States by way of to the spherical of 16:
It was Pulisic’s first World Cup objective, and one that can stay on in USMNT lore. But it may need come at a steep worth, as Pulisic wanted to be faraway from the match earlier than the second half, after making a brief try at returning to the pitch:
His damage was termed an “abdominal injury” by the USMNT on the time of the substitution:
According to Kevin Baxter, who covers soccer for the Los Angeles Times, the USMNT star was taken to a close-by hospital for analysis of his stomach damage:
According to Jenny Taft, who’s protecting the World Cup for Fox Sports, Pulisic FaceTimed the group from the hospital:
I used to be informed from @USMNT that Christian Pulisic is on the hospital to get his stomach damage additional evaluated. He additionally FaceTimed the group within the locker room following the win. #USMNT @FOXSoccer
— Jenny Taft (@JennyTaft) November 29, 2022
The United States squares off with the Netherlands at 10:00 a.m. ET on Saturday.
This story can be up to date as updates to Pulisic’s situation develop into out there.