After Iran defeated Wales on Friday, it opened some doors for the United States to advance to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup.
Iran’s victory gave the US the ability to control its own destiny, and it still does.
The USA came away with a 0-0 draw against a heavily favored England team on Friday.
A draw was unexpected (+325 in some books), while a US win topped +600 elsewhere, so not exactly a “negative” day for the USMNT. But Tuesday will still be stressful (more on that soon).
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Bukayo Saka of England vies with Tyler Adams of United States of America during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and United States at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.
(Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
On 10 minutes, Walker Zimmerman blocked an England shot that would likely have found the back of the net. The British had the first corner of the game, but the US was able to get out of the threat, and a couple more as England dominated possession early on.
But the Americans hardened soon after.
Weston McKennie had a great look at a beautiful Tim Weah cross in the 26th minute, but his lone shot went high and over the net. Just three minutes later, Yunus Musah’s shot was blocked right in front of him, and on 33 minutes, Christian Pulisic wrestled a shot off the crossbar.
The USA also earned two corner kicks in the span of two minutes, and Pulisic had a header in the 43rd minute that went wide. An English single shot went high in the 45th minute, and at 45+1, Matt Turner made a great save to keep the game scoreless at half time, his first of the game.
Christian Pulisic of the United States of America in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and the United States at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.
(Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
IRAN FOOTBALLER ARRESTED FOR ‘PROPAGANDIZING AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT’
The USA had five corner kicks in a span of five minutes early in the second half, but couldn’t put anything on the scoreboard. Whatever threat England had near the area, the Americans were able to avert the crisis.
In the 89th minute, the Americans got into the English area, but were unable to finish off. In the 91st minute, England were awarded a corner, but Turner cradled a weak header. England also had a free kick in the 93rd minute from the other side of the pitch, but a header went wide of the net. In ’94, the USA had a free kick from deep, but after England pulled it out of bounds, the final whistle was blown.
The United States, now with two points (0-2-0) faces Iran (1-0-1, three points) on Tuesday at 2 pm ET. The United States sits third in the group ahead of Wales (0-1-1, one point), while England (1-1-0) sits top of Group B with four points.
Team USA team circle at the start of second half time during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.
(Markus Gilliar-GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
As mentioned above, the Americans control their own destiny: a win on Tuesday puts them into the knockout stage.
But a loss or a draw will result in elimination and another upset tournament for the United States of America.
