CHRISTIAN PULISIC fired the USA to the knockout stages of the World Cup with a crucial first-half goal against Iran – but he soon found himself in the hospital.
The Chelsea winger struck in the 38th minute to send the Yanks into the last 16 for only the fifth time in their history.
Pulisic tapped home from inside the six-yard box after getting on the end of a headed cross from Sergino Dest – a strike which proved to be the only goal of the goal.
The goal, however, came at a cost to the 24-year-old – who injured his abdomen in the process.
The Blues ace was subbed at half-time after being assessed by team doctors.
And he was taken to the hospital for further assessment after the match.
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The severity of Pulisic’s injury is not yet known, although the Americans will be sweating over his fitness ahead of their clash with the Netherlands on Saturday.
The Americans finished second in Group B – two points behind first-placed England.
They were level on points with the Three Lions at halftime but were in second place due to Gareth Southgate’s troops’ superior goal difference.
But a second-half double from Marcus Rashford and a Phil Foden strike saw England pull away from Gregg Berhalter’s side.
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Speaking ahead of the match, Berhalter said of the Iran clash “When I think about this match, I know that a lot of other constituents have another feeling towards it, but for us, it is a soccer game against a good team.
“It’s not much more.
“It’s a knockout game, both teams want to go to the next round and are desperate to go to the next round – and that’s how we’re looking at this match.
“We are very focused on what we do as a team, as are they.”
He added: “I don’t want to sound aloof or not caring, but the guys have worked really hard for the last four years.
“We have 72 hours between England and Iran. We really are just focused on how to get past Iran to go to the knockout stage of the tournament.
“Of course, our thoughts are with the people, the whole country, the whole team, everyone – but our focus is on this match.
“We are not looking backwards – there is no talk about the performance against Wales or England now.
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“It is really focused on how we can be successful against Iran, and what I see from the group is this tremendous amount of focus, there is no real distractions.
“I know there is a lot going on here, but the group is focused on how do we get a way (into the last 16).”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
