USA vs Iran
The USA booked their ticket to the Round of 16 after their 1-0 against Iran today at the Al-Thumama stadium in Al Thumama, Qatar.
In a pretty even game only one goal separated these two teams. The US took the lead in the 38th minute, and who else would score but star man Christian Pulisic. Weston McKennie would cross the ball over the back line into Sergiño Dest, who then headed the ball back across the box. Pulisic would come running in to poke the ball into the net, colliding with Iranian keeper Alireza Beiranvand, in the process.
As opposed to his last collision, Beiranvand would come out of this one unscathed. Pulisic, however would be taken off at halftime and we are awaiting to hear if he is injured.
After this, the game would go back to a standstill as neither team could find the target. The best chance for Iran came in the dying seconds in the 9th minute of stoppage time, but the US was able to clear it from rolling into an empty net.
England vs Wales
England secures first place in Group B and a place in the knockout stages with their 3-0 win today at the Ahmad bin Ali stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar. England was in good standing to qualify and only needed a win today to ensure their finish in first.
England dominated the game having 78% of the possession as well as ending the game with more than twice the amount shots as Wales. England would start the scoring in the second half with a goal from Marcus Rashford in the 50th minute with a beautifully taken freekick from about 25 yards out. He curled it from the left side, across the goal, and into the right side netting.
Without letting Wales catch their breath, Phil Foden would score 60 seconds later when a pass came in across the box, untouched, leaving him alone inside the six to tap in the ball.
Rashford would get his brace and seal the win in the 68th minute after dribbling out his marker in the box and blasting it between the legs of both the second defender and the keeper, and into the goal.
As a result of today’s matches, the USA will face the Netherlands and England will face Senegal in the Round of 16.
Photo: Christian Pulisic – Wikipedia – user: TheSoccerBoy Creative Commons